The UN Security Council will meet Monday afternoon of the topic of Israel’s ongoing invasion of Lebanon, a war that notionally has been in a state of ceasefire since mid-April but seemingly is continuing to be escalated on a regular basis.
The European Union has urged Israel to halt its ongoing escalation and to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty. They also suggested the EU was considering more support for Lebanon’s stability.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that the country remains committed to negotiations with Israel, and understands the problems won’t be resolved overnight. He said the talks are “moving forward,” though Israel’s indication is that they’re escalating further, with orders to attack Lebanon’s capital yet again.
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Zebdin, Lebanon May 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Defense Minister Israel Katz further announced Monday his intention to turn the whole of Lebanon south of the Litani River into a “military-controlled zone,” which Israeli officials have signaled as their intention several times since the March invasion.
Israel’s actual operations on the ground appear to be moving beyond the Litani River in several locations, however, with troops advancing north of the river in several locations and seizing locations like Beaufort Castle.
The US, for their part, appears to be split on the question of Lebanon, with officials simultaneously trying to blame Hezbollah for the entirety of the instability in the area, but also reportedly pushing Israel to move toward deescalation.
