Israeli offensive in Lebanon sparks global outrage

• Macron says ‘nothing justifies’ south Lebanon escalation
• Germany urges all sides to cease hostilities
• Qatar, Jordan condemn persistent assaults
• Egypt denounces ‘grave violation of international law, UN Charter’ by Israel

PARIS: Several European and Muslim countries on Sunday condemned the latest Israeli offensive in Lebanon, with France seeking an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the issue after President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Saudi, Oman, UAE and Egyptian leadership.

Macron said that “nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon” where Israeli forces have launched a new offensive against Hezbollah.

In a message on X after speaking with regional leaders, Macron said it was “essential” for an agreement to be reached quickly between the United States and Iran.

Macron held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

“France will continue to support the Lebanese authorities in their efforts to restore the sovereignty of the state and the country’s territorial integrity,” Macron wrote.

Regional stability “must begin with Lebanon, where it is urgent that all weapons fall silent, for good.” More broadly, he said a ceasefire must be a “priority” between the United States and Iran, and called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz “without any conditions and in accordance with international law”.

“Talks must then continue in order to reach a comprehensive and robust agreement on other issues, particularly the nuclear and ballistic programmes and regional stability,” he added.

“France stands ready to fully play its part by helping to restore maritime traffic through the independent multinational mission set up with the United Kingdom,” he said.

Germany raises serious concern

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the Israeli army’s push into southern Lebanon a cause for serious concern, while urging all sides to cease hostilities.

“The Israeli army’s advance further into southern Lebanon is cause for serious concern,” the statement said, adding: “Any further escalation will exacerbate the already tense situation and trigger new waves of displacement within Lebanon.”

Qatar, Jordan condemn Israeli assaults

Qatar also condemned the persistent Israeli assaults on Lebanon and the expansion of the scope of ground incursion of the occupation army into the country and the targeting of civilians.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doha “deems these actions a dangerous escalation and an egregious violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly Republic of Lebanon and an open breach of international humanitarian rules-based order”.

It also called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities in obliging the Israeli occupation authorities to halt its repeated attacks on Lebanon, respect international charters and laws, as well as enforce Security Council Resolution 1701 with its full provisions.

Jordan also condemned the continuation of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and adopt a firm position that obliges Israel to cease its violation.

In a statement, the foreign ministry stressed support for the Lebanese government’s efforts to impose its sovereignty over all its territories.

Egypt warns against instability

Egypt strongly condemned the Israeli military escalation against Lebanon, denouncing the expansion of Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon as a dangerous violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

In the statement issued on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said the latest developments constitute a blatant aggression and reflect Israeli intentions to impose a new military reality on the ground, in grave violation of international law, the UN Charter and established international norms.

Egypt reiterated its categorical rejection of any infringement on Lebanese territory, reaffirming its support for Lebanon’s unity, national institutions and territorial integrity.

The statement called for the immediate and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 in all its provisions, without selectivity, to enable Lebanese state institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces, to exercise exclusive sovereignty over the entire national territory.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026 ...