Egypt Urges UN Action Over Israeli Incursion in Southern Lebanon

Egypt has urged the UN Security Council to act urgently to stop Israel’s military escalation in southern Lebanon, calling the incursion a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Israel’s reported capture of Beaufort Castle has raised regional concerns, with fears of further instability.

Egypt has urged the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to stop Israel’s military escalation and ground incursions in Lebanon, warning that the ongoing developments could significantly worsen instability across the Middle East.

In a statement released on Sunday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as Israel’s “continued aggression” against Lebanon and the widening scope of its ground operations in the southern region of the country. Cairo said the actions represent a dangerous escalation that threatens regional peace and security.
The appeal came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a recorded statement that Israeli forces had taken control of Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif, a major strategic stronghold in southern Lebanon. The announcement marked what observers described as the deepest Israeli ground incursion into Lebanese territory in more than twenty years, raising alarm among regional governments and international actors.
Egypt stated that the expansion of Israeli military activity constitutes “a complete violation of Lebanese sovereignty” and accused Israel of pursuing “a blatant act of aggression that reveals premeditated intentions to impose a new military reality on the ground.” The Foreign Ministry stressed that such actions undermine international law and threaten the stability of an already fragile region.
Reiterating its position, Egypt firmly rejected any infringement on Lebanese territory and expressed full support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, state institutions, and territorial integrity. It emphasized that respect for national borders is essential to preventing further escalation and avoiding a wider regional conflict.
The ministry further called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territory. It warned that continued expansion of military operations could trigger a broader deterioration in security conditions, not only in Lebanon but across neighboring states.
Egypt also appealed to the United Nations Security Council and influential international powers to fulfill their responsibilities under the UN Charter. It urged them to act swiftly, decisively, and collectively to halt the escalation and restore calm through diplomatic means.
The statement added that failure to contain the situation could lead to “further chaos and instability in the region,” noting that multiple regional and international parties are already engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further military confrontation.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry said earlier on Sunday that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had informed Lebanese officials that France would request an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in response to Israel’s latest military actions in southern Lebanon.
Beaufort Castle, which lies at the center of the latest developments, is one of the most prominent strategic and historical landmarks in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces had previously withdrawn from the site in 2000 during their pullout from the so-called “security zone” they maintained in southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000, making its reported capture particularly significant in the current escalation.