Israel Expands Lebanon Ground Push as France Seeks UN Meeting

Israeli forces have expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, operating past the Litani River in what was described as Israel’s deepest incursion since its 2000 withdrawal. France has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in response to the escalation.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to push further into Lebanon after the advance, according to the source report. The report said the operation has drawn growing international condemnation.

The developments were reported alongside updates on U.S.-Iran contacts, energy infrastructure in the Gulf, and Israeli activity in southern Syria.

U.S.-Iran contacts and competing accounts of a draft agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump said a draft agreement with Iran includes extensive provisions on nuclear issues, disputing media coverage he said suggested the proposal did not address Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump said the draft states “very clearly” that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon and that much of the text deals with other nuclear aspects.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said exchanges of messages with the United States are ongoing, but he emphasized that nothing is certain until a deal is finalized.

South Pars gas production and Israeli incursions into southern Syria

Iran has restored gas production at three offshore platforms in the South Pars gasfield after an Israeli attack on the facility in March, according to the report. South Pars is a major offshore gas field and a key part of Iran’s production capacity.

Separately, Israeli forces carried out incursions into southern Syria, entering parts of Quneitra and Deraa provinces, setting up temporary checkpoints, and searching civilians and vehicles before withdrawing, the report said.

Diplomatic activity at the UN and any further military movements in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gulf region are expected to remain the focus of the next updates.