British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Sunday, while simultaneously urging the Iranian-backed terror group to lay down its weapons and halt its attacks on Israel.
Speaking about the fighting, Cooper accused Israel of causing widespread harm through its military actions in Lebanon.
“Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon has killed and displaced civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and eroded space for diplomacy. It must end,” charged Cooper.
At the same time, she emphasized that responsibility also lies with Hezbollah, calling on the terrorist organization to stop its aggression.
“Hezobllah must end attacks on Israel and disarm.”
Cooper concluded by urging all parties to honor existing agreements and pursue diplomatic solutions.
“All sides must respect the ceasefire and engage with negotiations in good faith,” concluded Cooper.
Her remarks followed the IDF’s announcement that Israeli forces had launched a targeted military operation in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki regions of southern Lebanon. The mission is aimed at destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating Hezbollah operatives entrenched in the area.
According to the IDF, the operation got underway several days ago, with substantial ground forces moving into the area as part of an effort to broaden Israel’s Forward Defense Line.
Military officials said the offensive was authorized by the Chief of the General Staff after extensive planning, operational preparations, and preliminary fire missions carried out under the direction of the Northern Command. The objective is to secure operational control over the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki corridor while weakening Hezbollah’s capabilities and dismantling infrastructure established there with Iranian support.
The IDF stated that the Beaufort Ridge has long served as a strategic Hezbollah stronghold from which terrorists directed military operations and launched numerous attacks against Israel.
Israeli forces are also targeting launch sites in the region that have been used to fire hundreds of rockets and other projectiles at Israeli communities and IDF personnel.
As the operation continued, Hezbollah further violated the ceasefire on Sunday by extending the range of its rocket attacks into northern Israel. Among the targets was the city of Akko.
In a separate attack later in the day, four Israeli soldiers sustained light injuries when a Hezbollah explosive drone detonated in the community of Beit Hillel.
Medical personnel treated the wounded soldiers at the scene before transporting them to a hospital for further care. The military said their families were informed of the incident.
