France has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council as Israel expands its military operations in Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said.
The move comes after Israel announced it had seized the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon and raised its flag at the site, while continuing to expand ground operations in the region. Lebanese officials have accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy.”
The Israeli military has also issued evacuation orders for areas south of the Zahrani River, about 40 kilometres from the Israeli border, ahead of further military action despite a ceasefire announced in April.
Since the conflict resumed in March, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have reportedly killed 3,371 people. Israel said one soldier was killed by a Hezbollah drone on Sunday, bringing its military death toll in the conflict to 25.
The escalation comes as the US continues negotiations with Iran, which has reportedly linked progress in talks to an end to the fighting in Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the capture of Beaufort Castle gives Israeli forces a strategic position overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and could facilitate further advances in the Nabatieh region.
The historic Crusader-era fortress also holds symbolic significance, having served as an Israeli military outpost during its occupation of southern Lebanon until 2000.
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