UN Security Council Holds Emergency Meeting After Israel Takes Control of Lebanon's Beaufort Castle
The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Monday local time to discuss the fighting in Lebanon. This follows Israel’s capture of Beaufort Castle, a medieval fortress within Lebanon’s territorial boundaries.
The emergency meeting was initiated at France’s request. French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the ongoing developments on the ground.
‘There is nothing that justifies the ongoing major escalation in southern Lebanon,’ Macron said, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to push further into Lebanon. In a video statement following his troops’ capture of the fortress, Netanyahu described the operation as a critical turning point.
‘We have returned united, determined, and stronger than before. My current directive is to deepen and expand our grip on areas under Hezbollah control. The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic phase and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading,’ Netanyahu said.
Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Chakif, was previously used by Israeli forces as a base during their two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000.
Open conflict continues to escalate despite a ceasefire agreement starting on 17 March, which has been disregarded by both sides. Amid the escalation, international diplomacy continues. A senior US official revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
‘To advance these talks, the United States has proposed a clear sequence: Hezbollah must halt all attacks on Israel. In return, Israel will refrain from escalating in Beirut,’ the official stated on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is worsening following Israel’s mass evacuation orders for areas south of the Zahrani River. Israeli airstrikes near a hospital in Tyre reportedly injured 13 medical staff.
Lebanese refugees in Sidon expressed fears over the destruction of their homes and the presence of Israeli troops at the historic castle.
‘We are afraid. It is impossible for us to return home as our city has suffered extensive damage,’ said Zeinab Fakih, a refugee from Nabatieh, to AFP, adding that the Israeli troops’ presence at the castle was tragic.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks have killed over 3,412 people since early March. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported losing 25 soldiers and claiming to have eliminated 900 Hezbollah members since the ceasefire began.
Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River in Lebanon, amid security talks between military delegations in Washington.
UNICEF reported 15 children killed and 62 injured in Lebanon over the past seven days due to ceasefire violations between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 12 people, including two children and a soldier, amid escalating tensions in Tyre and Sidon.
US-Iran tensions have escalated following mutual attacks in Bandar Abbas and Kuwait’s involvement, threatening peace negotiations and stability in the Strait of Hormuz.