'Nothing can justify' prolonged Israeli occupation in Lebanon, France says
France's foreign minister said Tuesday that nothing could justify Israeli troops remaining deep inside Lebanon, following the deepest incursion into Lebanese territory in two decades.
Israel and Hezbollah clashed overnight despite U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that both sides had agreed to halt fighting ahead of U.S.-hosted talks between Israel and Lebanon.
"Nothing can justify the continuation of military operations and Israel's prolonged occupation deep inside Lebanese territory," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France TV.
Israeli troops on Sunday seized the Beaufort castle, which commands sweeping views of south Lebanon.
Israeli forces used the castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shqif, as a base during their previous two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000.
Tehran has said that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for any deal with Washington to end the Middle East war.
Source: Agence France Presse
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