Lebanese officials have received repeated warnings from Arab and foreign governments about the risks of Hezbollah joining any renewed military confrontation between Israel and Iran, a Lebanese official source told Arab News, cautioning that Israel could face fewer constraints in a new conflict.

The warnings were conveyed by visiting foreign officials who met President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in recent days, the source said, reflecting growing concern that a regional escalation could draw Lebanon into another devastating war.

“They have also warned against Lebanon becoming involved, particularly because there may be no Israeli restraints in the next confrontation,” the source said.

Despite the mounting concerns, retired Lebanese Brig. Gen. Khalil Gemayel said current military indicators did not point to an imminent, full-scale Israeli offensive against Lebanon.

“All the military indicators suggest that Israel is currently in a defensive rather than offensive posture,” Gemayel told Arab News, adding that offensive priority had shifted away from southern Lebanon while reserve brigades remained in place.

He said Hezbollah had lost a substantial portion of its military capabilities but retained an organized command structure, fighters, missiles and drones, leaving it capable of becoming involved in a renewed conflict.

“Hezbollah has lost a large part of its capabilities, but it still exists, still has command and control over its members, and still possesses missiles — although not in the quantities it once did — as well as drones,” he said.

Gemayel cautioned, however, that a decision by Hezbollah to enter another war would carry enormous consequences for Lebanon.

“But the decision to go to war would be an enormous one, and the consequences would be catastrophic,” he said.

He warned that the southern city of Nabatiyeh could become a major target if hostilities resumed, amid fears that a confrontation between Israel and Iran could spill over into Lebanon.

“If Iran is cornered, Hezbollah will support it,” Gemayel said, suggesting that the group's involvement could become more likely if Tehran faced mounting military pressure.

The retired general also pointed to explosives seized by Lebanese authorities and linked to Hezbollah, saying he believed they may have been intended for booby-trapping operations. The intended use of the explosives has not been established in the information cited.

Meanwhile, Gemayel said Israel was continuing to expand its list of potential targets, underscoring the risks of a wider confrontation even as its military posture appeared defensive.

“Everyone is preparing, but Israel is more comfortable militarily, and there is little to prevent it from expanding operations if it chooses to do so,” he said.