UNSC to hold meeting on Lebanon after Netanyahu orders deeper incursion

Egypt urges UNSC to halt Israeli escalation; Macron says 'nothing justifies' escalation in southern Lebanon

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Lebanon on Monday, diplomatic sources told Anadolu.

The meeting followed a request by France, which described Israel's ongoing military operations in the country as "extremely concerning."

According to sources, Russia "strongly" supported France's request for a meeting.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made the request on Sunday, calling for urgent international attention to the situation as Israeli strikes continued despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was subsequently extended for 45 days following indirect US-mediated talks.

Macron says 'nothing justifies' escalation in southern Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron said that “nothing justifies” the ongoing escalation in southern Lebanon, as tensions continue to rise in the region.

“Nothing justifies the major escalation currently underway in southern Lebanon. France will continue its support for the Lebanese authorities in their efforts to restore state sovereignty and the country's territorial integrity,” Macron said on X.

Je me suis entretenu avec le Prince héritier d’Arabie saoudite Mohammed Ben Salman, le Sultan d’Oman Haïtham Bin Tariq, le Président émirien Mohammed Ben Zayed et le Président égyptien Abdefattah Al Sissi.

À tous, je porte le même message : il est essentiel qu’un accord…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 31, 2026

On tensions between the US and Iran, Macron said that he spoke with regional leaders and stressed the urgent need for a swift agreement between the two countries.

“This opportunity must be seized now,” Macron said, adding that the priority must be a ceasefire and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without conditions and in line with international law, with further negotiations aimed at a comprehensive agreement covering nuclear and ballistic programs as well as broader regional stability.

“France stands ready to play its full part, by helping to resume maritime traffic through the independent multinational mission established with the United Kingdom, by supporting nuclear discussions with its expertise and capabilities, and by contributing to the necessary establishment of a regional security framework, alongside the partners whose protection it has helped ensure in recent months,” he said.

Macron also stressed that stability in the region must begin with Lebanon, where he said “It is urgent that the weapons fall silent—all of them, and for good.”

Egypt urges UNSC to halt Israeli escalation in Lebanon, warns of regional instability

Egypt called on the UNSC to take urgent action to halt Israel’s military escalation and ground incursions in Lebanon, warning that the continued assault risks plunging the region into further instability.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s “continued aggression” against Lebanon and its expansion of ground operations in the country’s south.

The call came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a recorded speech that Israeli forces had taken control of the strategic Beaufort Castle, known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, in southern Lebanon, in the deepest incursion in more than two decades.

Cairo said the expansion of the Israeli ground operations constituted “a complete violation of Lebanese sovereignty” and “a blatant act of aggression that reveals premeditated Israeli intentions to impose a new military reality on the ground.”

It reiterated its “categorical rejection of any infringement on Lebanese territory” and renewed its support for Lebanon’s unity, state institutions and territorial integrity.

Read More: Israeli army announces 'large-scale' offensive in southern Lebanon

The ministry called for an “immediate and complete Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory,” warning that the continued expansion of military operations could trigger a broader deterioration in the security situation.

It urged the UNSC and influential international actors to assume their responsibilities and act “urgently and decisively” to stop the Israeli offensive.

“The continued escalation will lead to further chaos and instability in the region,” the ministry warned, noting that regional and international parties are currently engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

Lebanon’s foreign ministry said early Sunday that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot informed his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi that Paris would seek an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in response to the latest Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Beaufort Castle is one of southern Lebanon’s most prominent strategic landmarks. Israeli forces withdrew from the site in 2000 as part of their pullout from the so-called “security zone” they had maintained in southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000.

On Monday, there will also be a UN Security Council meeting regarding a drone attack against Romania, held at the country’s request.

According to Romanian authorities, a Russian drone struck a 10-story apartment block in the early hours of Friday, causing an explosion and fire that injured two people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Romania to conduct an investigation into the reported drone that struck a residential building. Putin pointed out that Ukrainian drones had previously crossed into Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states, initially triggering accusations against Moscow before investigations produced different conclusions.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed more than 3,370 people and wounded over 10,000 others.