France’s foreign minister said Tuesday that nothing could justify Israeli troops remaining deep inside Lebanon, following the deepest incursion into Lebanese territory in two decades.
– Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah clashed overnight despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement that both sides had agreed to halt fighting ahead of US-hosted talks between Israel and Lebanon.
– “Nothing can justify the continuation of military operations and Israel’s prolonged occupation deep inside Lebanese territory,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France TV.
– Israeli troops on Sunday seized the Beaufort castle, which commands sweeping views of south Lebanon.
– Israeli forces used the castle, also known as Qalaat al-Chakif, as a base during their previous two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000.
– Tehran has said that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for any deal with Washington to end the Middle East war.