United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned the recent intensification of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, stating that the attacks are killing civilians and must end. Her remarks were made on the social media platform X following a period of increased Israeli Defense Forces activity in the region.
The Israel Defense Forces have conducted numerous airstrikes and advanced further into Lebanese territory in recent days. This escalation occurred despite a ceasefire agreement established in mid-April after more than a month of conflict.
On Sunday, Israeli forces captured Beaufort Castle, a historic Crusader fortress. Concurrently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he had ordered the military to expand its ground operations against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
This military expansion could complicate ongoing indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran. A lasting peace in Lebanon is reportedly a key demand from Tehran for extending its truce with Washington.
Foreign Secretary Cooper stated that Israel’s actions have killed and displaced civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and reduced the space for diplomacy. She also called on Hezbollah to cease its attacks on Israel and to disarm.
German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul expressed serious concern over the Israeli advances, warning they could worsen the situation and trigger new waves of displacement within Lebanon. Data from Lebanese authorities indicates that since early March, over 3,400 people have been killed, approximately 10,000 wounded, and more than 1.6 million displaced.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in weekend phone calls with both Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. He aimed to promote a new proposal for a “gradual de-escalation” between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to a source, Rubio’s initial plan would require Hezbollah to stop drone attacks on Israel. In return, the Israeli military would refrain from escalating operations in Beirut. President Aoun attempted to advance this U.S. proposal, but Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, insisted that Israel must “stop shooting first.”
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