Beirut: Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on Saturday engaged in diplomatic conversations with several Arab and foreign officials, urging them to apply international pressure on Israel to cease its military strikes on Lebanon.
According to Anadolu Agency, Rajji held discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Deputy US Envoy for Middle East Peace Morgan Ortagus, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria Engagement in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Natasha Franceschi. These talks were part of coordinated diplomatic efforts, involving Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to manage the escalating tensions in southern Lebanon.
Rajji emphasized the need for these officials to exert pressure on Israel to terminate its aggressive actions and de-escalate the precarious situation along the southern border. The urgency of these talks increased following Israel’s claims that its settlement of Metula was targeted by a rocket attack from Lebanon, which led to Israeli airstrikes on several locations in southern Lebanon.
This incident marked the first rocket attack since a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect nearly four months ago. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Metula.
The situation follows a fragile ceasefire that was established in Lebanon last November, concluding months of cross-border conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which had escalated into a full-scale conflict in September. Lebanese authorities have recorded nearly 1,100 violations of the ceasefire by Israel, resulting in at least 85 deaths and over 280 injuries.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, which mandated Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 26, the deadline was extended to February 18 due to Israel’s non-compliance. Israel maintains a military presence at five border outposts, contributing to ongoing regional tensions.