The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold an emergency meeting on Lebanon after Israeli forces seized the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, in a move that has raised concerns over a widening conflict with Hezbollah and renewed diplomatic pressure for de-escalation.
The meeting was requested by France following Israel's expanded military operations in southern Lebanon, including its capture of the medieval fortress overlooking large areas of the border region. ([euronews][2])
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hezbollah and vowed to press deeper into Lebanese territory despite ongoing international calls for restraint.
Beaufort Castle, a centuries-old fortress perched above the Litani River, holds both strategic and symbolic significance. The site was previously occupied by Israeli forces during their presence in southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000 and has long been associated with the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The latest escalation comes despite a ceasefire agreement reached in April that was intended to halt hostilities. Both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce, while clashes and airstrikes have continued across southern Lebanon.
Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict have intensified as international actors warn that further escalation could destabilize the region. France has condemned the expansion of Israeli military operations and called for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Security Council meeting is expected to focus on the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, implementation of existing ceasefire arrangements, and efforts to prevent a broader regional confrontation.
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