AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday condemned the continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the expansion of ground incursions into southern Lebanese territory as a "flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and a breach of international law and international humanitarian law."

 

In a statement, the ministry denounced the targeting of civilians, warning that the ongoing escalation threatens regional security and stability and undermines efforts to de-escalate tensions.

 

The ministry called for an immediate end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, stressing the need to uphold the ceasefire agreement and ensure full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

 

It reiterated Jordan’s full support for Lebanon’s security, stability and sovereignty, as well as the safety of its citizens.

 

The statement also expressed support for efforts by the Lebanese government to extend its authority across all Lebanese territory, strengthen national institutions and ensure that weapons remain exclusively under state control.

 

The ministry urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and take a firm stance to compel Israel to end its violations and attacks, and to respect international law and international humanitarian law.

 

It also stressed the need to intensify humanitarian assistance to help the Lebanese government meet the needs of more than one million people displaced from their homes and villages as a result of the ongoing escalation.

 

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to push deeper into Lebanon after his military took over the medieval castle of Beaufort on Sunday, calling it a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hizbollah.

 

Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hizbollah fired rockets towards Israel in retaliation for the US-Israeli killing of Iran's supreme leader.

 

A truce to halt the fighting between Israel and Hizbollah began on April 17, but has never been observed. Both sides accuse each other daily of violating the ceasefire and justify their attacks by the other's alleged breaches.

 

Israeli forces used the Beaufort castle, also known as Qalaat Al Chakif, as a base during their previous two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000.

 

In a video statement released hours after the military took Beaufort, Netanyahu said "we have returned united, determined and stronger than ever".

 

Military delegations from Lebanon and Israel held security talks in Washington on Friday, with more US-brokered negotiations planned next week.

 

The Israeli army said Sunday that one of its soldiers had been killed a day earlier by a Hezbollah explosive drone, bringing to 25 the number of Israeli military deaths in Lebanon since early March.

 

The Lebanese health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,371 people since early March.