Saudi Arabia, OIC Condemn Israel's Lebanon Strikes

(MENAFN) Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) jointly condemned Israel's escalating military campaign in Lebanon on Monday, calling on the international community to intervene and halt what they described as flagrant violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned "the Israeli aggression against the territories of the brotherly Lebanese Republic" and reiterated its "categorical rejection of Israel's incursion into Lebanese land and its violation against Lebanon's sovereignty."

Riyadh urged the global community to "assume its responsibility in putting an end to this aggression and halting Israeli military movements that aim to expand incursion into Lebanese territory," stressing "the importance of safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty and the safety of the Lebanese people in accordance with relevant international agreements."

The ministry's statement also reaffirmed "the importance of adhering to the Taif Agreement in a manner that ensures extending the Lebanese state's authority over all its territory," along with compliance with Lebanese government decisions "to restrict arms exclusively to the state and its legitimate institutions" — steps it said would help guarantee "the restoration of security and stability for Lebanon and its brotherly people."

The Jeddah-based OIC General Secretariat echoed those condemnations in the "strongest terms," characterizing the Israeli operations as an "incursion and blatant attacks" against Lebanon. The organization said the strikes — encompassing the destruction of villages and archaeological sites in southern Lebanon — amounted to a "flagrant violation" of Lebanese sovereignty, international law, and international humanitarian law.

The OIC further warned that sustained Israeli military action in Lebanon posed a "serious threat to security and stability in the region," reaffirming its "unwavering support" for Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while calling for "immediate action" from the international community.

Israel has sustained its military offensive in Lebanon since early March, pressing ahead despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17 and was subsequently extended for 45 days following US-mediated indirect negotiations. Netanyahu recently ordered a deepening of the ground incursion, with Israeli forces capturing the strategically vital Beaufort Castle in what marks the most significant penetration into Lebanese territory since 2000.

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