European leaders have strongly condemned Israel's expanding military incursion into Lebanon, following the capture of the medieval Beaufort Castle by Israeli forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to push deeper into Lebanese territory, escalating a conflict that has already displaced over a million people and claimed thousands of lives.
France Demands UN Security Council Meeting
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate end to hostilities, stating that "nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon." France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council for Monday to address the crisis.
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany joined France in condemning the operation. Britain's Yvette Cooper urged all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in April, which has been largely ignored by both Israel and Hezbollah.
Strategic Capture of Beaufort Castle
Israeli forces seized the Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif, on Sunday, marking the deepest incursion into Lebanon in 26 years. The castle, built by Crusaders in the 12th century and later occupied by Saladin's army, the Ottomans, the French, and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, offers strategic views across Lebanon and into northern Israel.
Netanyahu described the capture as a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hezbollah, which has a strong political presence in southern Lebanon and has launched thousands of missiles and drones into northern Israel. In a video statement, he declared: "We have returned united, determined and stronger than ever. Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold in places that were under Hezbollah's control."
The castle was used by Israeli forces as a base during their previous two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000. Netanyahu noted its historic significance, calling it a "symbol of a heroic battle for our fighters."
Humanitarian Toll and International Reaction
Israel's campaign has forced more than one million people from their homes, while at least 3,300 people, including dozens of children, have been killed. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, accused Israel on Saturday of "implementing a policy of total destruction of cities and towns."
However, some experts question the strategic value of capturing the castle. Orna Mizrahi, a former deputy director in Israel's national security council, told the Associated Press: "We are damaging them in the operations, but in parallel we need to pursue a political and diplomatic solution." She noted that the military's presence there will not solve the issue with Hezbollah.
Diplomatic Efforts and Challenges
Talks between senior officials from Israel and Lebanon began in Washington in April, the first such discussions in more than three decades between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations. Those talks are set to continue this week, but Hezbollah is not participating and has stated it will not accept any results.
The escalating violence in Lebanon also complicates efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement between the United States and Iran. Tehran has insisted that any agreement to extend the current ceasefire with Washington and return shipping to the Strait of Hormuz must include an end to fighting in Lebanon.
Observers suggest that Israeli officials and military commanders may be seeking to inflict as much damage as possible on Hezbollah before a potential deal imposes new limits or halts the current offensive.
With Agence France-Presse
