Beirut, July 31 (SANA) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday condemned ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, particularly bombings targeting infrastructure and historical landmarks listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, highlighting the severe damage and threats to local residents.
In a statement published on the Lebanese Presidency’s official account on the X platform, Aoun noted that massive explosions recorded today at Beaufort Castle (Qala’at al-Shaqif) generated seismic waves equivalent to a 3.8-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale, according to the National Center for Geophysics.
President Aoun stressed that the attacks constitute a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of existing commitments, and a direct threat to the process initiated under the framework agreement, which Lebanon remains committed to implementing.
The Lebanese President pointed out that the timing of those attacks—on the eve of a scheduled meeting in Rome to continue discussions on implementing the tripartite framework—sends negative messages and undermines international efforts aimed at stabilizing the region.
Aoun called on sponsoring parties and the international community to assume their responsibilities and put an end to these violations, which threaten progress in diplomatic efforts and undermine security and stability in southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces had executed massive explosions after midnight yesterday across the areas of Yahmur al-Shaqif, Arnoun, and Kfar Tibnit, with vibrations felt in the Iqlim al-Kharroub and Khalde regions. In Marjayoun, residents reported strong tremors accompanied by the heavy smell of gunpowder following the violent blasts near Beaufort Castle.
M.Q.R/M
