Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah is tacitly protecting Israelis by not attacking, a leading figure in the al-Qaida terrorist group has said.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that Salah al-Karawi, a leading al-Qaida operative, told a militant Web forum that Hezbollah and the Lebanese military have acted as "bodyguards" for Israel.

He said, "They don't allow us to act, but they don't strike Israel themselves." Haaretz describes the operative as a document forger who is tasked with establishing al-Qaida cells across the world.

Al-Qaida fighters would launch their own attacks against Israel from Lebanese soil in order to liberate the Palestinians from Israeli "occupation," he went on to say.

He further added, "Our organization must confront the traitors in Lebanon -- Hezbollah, the Lebanese army, (U. N. peacekeepers) -- and all those who protect southern Lebanon for Israel's sake."

It was further reported that Hezbollah and Israel fought a bruising 34-day war in 2006. A U. N.-backed cease-fire agreement reminds Israel of its obligation to respect Lebanese sovereignty while calling on Hezbollah to disarm. (With Inputs from Agencies)