The UN Security Council convened an emergency session late Monday at the request of France, as the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah sparked global concerns over regional stability. The meeting comes at a critical juncture, with fears mounting over potential Israeli strikes on Beirut and the unraveling of a fragile ceasefire established in April.
The escalation has seen Israel intensify its military operations in southern Lebanon, advancing deeper into the region and successfully capturing the strategic Beaufort Ridge. This surge in hostilities threatens to dismantle the diplomatic progress made earlier this year, pushing the region closer to a wider conflict.
During the session, Lebanon's representative, Ahmad Arafa, accused Israel of leveraging regional tensions to expand its military campaign. Arafa highlighted the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and media workers, and urged an immediate commitment to a ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian disaster.
In response, Israel's representative, Danny Danon, asserted that Israel had no choice but to act following attacks by Hezbollah. Danon accused Iran of utilizing the group as a proxy force and noted that northern Israeli communities had faced the heaviest fire since the April ceasefire.
China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, expressed grave concern over the human cost of the operations, stating that more than 3,400 lives have been lost in Lebanon. Fu Cong called on Israel to immediately cease hostilities and fully abide by ceasefire arrangements, stressing that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.
France's representative, Jerome Bonnafont, while acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, described the scale of the current military operations as unjustifiable. He noted that the ongoing actions have led to heavy civilian casualties and displacement, violating both the April ceasefire commitments and existing Security Council resolutions.
The diplomatic tension also extends to the broader geopolitical landscape. US representative Michael Waltz highlighted the diplomatic efforts of President Donald Trump, suggesting that peace remains achievable if Hezbollah halts its attacks.
However, the conflict has cast a shadow over the precarious US-Iran talks. While Iranian media reports suggest that indirect contacts with Washington have been suspended until military operations in Gaza and Lebanon cease, President Trump has maintained that discussions with Tehran are continuing at a rapid pace.
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UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Lebanon conflict
cgtn.com
