Russia, Israel Agree on Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi (EPA)
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Russia, Israel Agree on Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi (EPA)

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin invited him to St. Petersburg during a phone call ahead of the premier's departure from Sochi.

Bennett said that the meeting with Putin was very good and in-depth, adding that "Russia is a very important player in our region, a kind of neighbor for us in the north."

The Prime Minister also announced that he found Putin attentive to the security needs of Israel, and they discussed the situation in Syria and reached good and stable agreements.

The two also discussed the advances to the Iranian military nuclear plan, which is a concern shared by both Russia and Israel.

Political sources in Tel Aviv said that the new understandings reached by Bennett and Putin include resolving the dispute over the Israeli raids on Iranian sites in Syria.

Russia had accused Israel of carrying out "unnecessary raids" and demanded to be informed ahead of time. Moscow considered the raids on its sites would sabotage its efforts to establish stability.

However, Bennett pledged to give the Russians accurate information about any raids and ahead of time.

He also pledged that the strikes would become more localized and would not target the infrastructure of the Syrian regime.

They agreed to keep the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and other militias affiliated with Iran as far as possible from the Israeli borders.

Putin agreed to resume the work of the military coordination committee, led by deputy chiefs of staff of the two armies, according to the sources.

Russia shares Israel's concern about the danger of Iran becoming a nuclear state.

The meeting between Putin and Bennett in Sochi lasted five hours, three hours more than the scheduled time.

The two leaders discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for a few minutes only. Putin issued his recommendation and advice that the Israeli government should make a permanent settlement with the Palestinians based on the two-state solution.

Bennett explained that the composition of the government does not allow for a permanent settlement, but it has taken several steps to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians.

Bennett associates confirmed that the visit was very successful and that he could establish warm relations with the Russian President.



Lebanon State Media Says Israel Blows Up Houses on Border

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
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Lebanon State Media Says Israel Blows Up Houses on Border

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)
This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC and dated October 24, 2024 shows a view of the village of the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal on the border with Israel, amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / AFP)

Lebanese state media said the Israeli army on Friday detonated explosives planted inside houses in three border villages that have been battered by the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Hezbollah says it is engaged in fighting Israeli forces in the area, more than a month into an Israeli ground invasion aimed at pushing the Iran-backed group away from the border.

"Since this morning, the Israeli enemy's army has been carrying out bombing operations inside the villages of Yaroun, Aitaroun and Maroun al-Ras in the Bint Jbeil area, with the aim of destroying residential homes there," the official National News Agency said.

Israeli forces also conducted a raid in the nearby town of Bint Jbeil, NNA said, after Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli troops in the flashpoint border region, AFP reported.

Hezbollah said on Thursday it had "ambushed" Israeli ground forces attempting to infiltrate Yaroun.

The group has claimed eight operations since Wednesday targeting Israeli troops on the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras.

Friday's explosions are the latest in a string of similar incidents that have impacted the border area.

According to NNA, Israeli troops blew up buildings in at least seven border villages last month.

Footage verified by AFP on Monday showed massive blasts that ripped through Mais al-Jabal and reduced homes to rubble.

Israel's Channel 12 last month broadcast footage appearing to show one of its presenters blow up a building while embedded with soldiers in the village of Aita al-Shaab.