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France has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council after Israeli forces seized the medieval Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Sunday.
“I have requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council because, while we recognize Israel's right, like that of all countries, to self-defense... nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory,” Barrot told BFMTV.
The request came after Israel announced a major military operation in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military said Sunday it had launched a “large-scale” offensive in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Salouqi area of southern Lebanon.
Military spokesperson Ella Waweya said on X that the operation began several days earlier and involved substantial ground forces.
Waweya said the offensive was aimed at “destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating militants.”
She claimed Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River and expanded operations against Hezbollah positions north of the river.
“Operations are expanding into additional areas,” she said.
According to Waweya, Israeli troops are operating near the city of Nabatieh, which she described as “one of Hezbollah’s principal strongholds in southern Lebanon.”
She added that Israeli forces were “ready to expand the attack as required.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz separately said on X that Israeli troops had crossed the Litani River and captured the Beaufort Ridge as part of the expanded offensive.
Lebanese authorities had not issued an official response to Israel’s claims as of Sunday.
However, a senior Lebanese military source told Anadolu on Saturday that Israeli forces had advanced into villages north of the Litani River and reached the outskirts of Nabatieh.
Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended for 45 days beginning May 17 following indirect talks mediated by the United States.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed over 3,370 people across the country.
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