Netanyahu Orders Strikes in Beirut Escalation
In a joint statement, the two officials said:
"In light of the repeated violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon by the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and the attacks on our cities and citizens, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to strike terror targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut,"
According to reports, the decision comes amid a sharp rise in tensions along the Israel-Lebanon front, where cross-border exchanges have continued despite a declared truce.
Separately, international diplomatic sources indicated that the UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session on Monday to address the escalating situation in Lebanon, following reports of Israeli forces seizing the medieval Beaufort Castle inside Lebanese territory.
Netanyahu has also signaled an intention to deepen military operations inside Lebanon, describing recent developments as a “dramatic shift” in the ongoing campaign against Hezbollah.
Although a ceasefire arrangement aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah was introduced on April 17, it has not effectively taken hold. Both sides continue to accuse each other of repeated violations, each justifying its own strikes as responses to breaches by the other party.
According to reports, France requested the emergency UN Security Council meeting. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the situation, saying "nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon", and called for an immediate end to the fighting.
The broader conflict context has further intensified in recent months, with Lebanon being drawn more directly into the regional war following cross-border rocket fire from Hezbollah and subsequent retaliatory actions.
Over the weekend, Israeli strikes reportedly hit southern Lebanon, including an attack in Deir Zahrani that resulted in multiple casualties. According to Lebanon’s health authorities, eight people were killed in the strike, among them three women.
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