Rejecting 'Silence', Hezbollah Will Respond If Israel Attacks

Hezbollah rejected calls for international envoys not to respond to Israel's anticipated attacks in retaliation for the deadly rocket attack on Israel's occupied Golan Heights.

Hezbollah, who denied involvement in Saturday's attack last weekend, told mediators they would continue to respond to any Israeli attacks, officials from the Lebanese group said in a written comment sent to reporters.

The official did not say which country was represented by the mediator.

The diplomatic action led by the United States aims to limit Israel's response to the Golan attack, which killed 12 children and adolescents.

Israel and the US blamed Iran-backed Hezbollah for the attack. Israel then promised to retaliate against the attack.

Diplomats have urged Israel not to target the Lebanese capital, Beirut or key infrastructure, five people familiar with the diplomatic effort told Reuters.

They hope that by limiting Israel's response, harsh retaliation against Hezbollah can be avoided.

"The international designation indirectly conveyed to us the idea that we should not respond to the aggression that is expected to occur under the pretext of the need to avoid escalation and lead to a comprehensive war," Hezbollah officials said.

Hezbollah has notified the envoy of an explicit rejection of this request. Israeli attacks will receive a response.

Hezbollah also said mediators had informed them of diplomatic efforts to urge Israel not to involve civilians and civilian facilities in any operations.

"This is a good thing, but we don't trust our enemy," the official said.