In a statement, the Iran-backed group said the vessel was struck about 68 nautical miles from the Lebanese coast, alleging it had been preparing to launch attacks on Lebanese territory.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli military regarding the claim.Israeli naval forces have been involved in operations against targets in Lebanon in recent weeks, including using warships to carry out strikes along the coastline as hostilities with Hezbollah intensified.

The reported attack underscores a potential expansion of the conflict into the maritime domain, as cross-border hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continue alongside the broader regional war involving Iran and its allies.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the ministry said in a statement, focusing on proposals aimed at reducing hostilities across the region.

The discussions come amid intensified diplomatic engagement by regional actors seeking to contain the conflict, which has disrupted energy flows and heightened geopolitical risks.

Turkiye and Pakistan have also taken on intermediary roles, with Islamabad recently hosting talks on de-escalation measures and proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas shipments.

Egypt’s outreach reflects growing concern among regional powers over the potential for further escalation and the economic impact of prolonged disruptions, particularly on energy markets and trade routes.

The Israeli military said the Masnaa crossing was being used by Hezbollah for transferring combat equipment, and warned that strikes on the site were imminent. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee called on residents and travelers to leave the area immediately.

A Lebanese security source confirmed that the crossing was being evacuated following the warning. On the Syrian side, the crossing known as Jdeidet Yabous was described by border authorities as strictly civilian, with officials denying any military use and announcing a temporary suspension of traffic for safety reasons.

The Masnaa crossing is Lebanon’s primary land route to Syria and a key corridor for trade and civilian movement. Israel previously struck the crossing in October 2024 during earlier hostilities with Hezbollah, forcing its closure until repairs were completed after a ceasefire.

The warning comes amid intensified Israeli operations across Lebanon since March 2, when Hezbollah joined the broader regional conflict alongside its ally Iran. Israeli forces have since conducted widespread airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s health ministry said an Israeli strike on Maaraka near the southern city of Tyre killed five people and wounded one. Earlier strikes in Habbush killed two girls and wounded 22 others, while an attack on Al-Hawsh injured 18 people and damaged a nearby hospital, according to official statements.

Despite evacuation warnings covering much of southern Lebanon, tens of thousands of residents have fled Tyre, though about 20,000 people remain, including many displaced from surrounding villages.Lebanese state media reported additional Israeli strikes across the country, including on infrastructure in the West Bekaa region, where a bridge was destroyed after repeated attacks.

The Israeli military said it had struck more than 140 Hezbollah targets over the previous two days.Hezbollah said it carried out retaliatory attacks on northern Israeli towns and Israeli forces near the border, including in Marun Al-Ras and other southern Lebanese locations.

The conflict has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon and killed over 1,400, including medical personnel and UN peacekeepers, according to Lebanese authorities. A United Nations security official said Israeli forces also destroyed surveillance cameras linked to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon headquarters in Naqura.

The peacekeeping mission has been caught in escalating cross-border hostilities, as Israeli forces push deeper into southern Lebanon and Hezbollah continues attacks into northern Israel.

Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty in the face of what he described as repeated Iranian attacks, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The two leaders reviewed recent regional developments and the broader implications of the conflict for global stability.

The call came as Sharif indicated Pakistan could host talks aimed at ending the conflict, positioning Islamabad as a potential intermediary amid intensifying hostilities. In a statement on X, he said Pakistan supported efforts to pursue dialogue and a peaceful resolution.

The outreach follows remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington had engaged in “productive” discussions with Iran, a claim denied by Iranian military officials.Despite diplomatic signals, fighting has continued, with U.S., Israeli and Iranian strikes ongoing across the region.

Sources have indicated that Washington is preparing to deploy additional forces, including thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, adding to an existing U.S. presence of about 50,000 personnel in the Middle East.

The planned deployment underscores a broader military buildup that has raised concerns about a prolonged conflict even as parallel diplomatic efforts gain traction.

Pakistan’s potential role as a host for negotiations reflects its longstanding ties with Iran and its recent engagement with the United States, allowing it to project itself as a relatively neutral actor in the crisis.

The discussions between Riyadh and Islamabad come amid growing international efforts to contain the conflict’s geopolitical and economic fallout.

Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Abdulmohsen Majed bin Khothaila, said the strikes targeted Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries and Jordan, characterizing them as breaches of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He described the actions as “cowardly” and said they undermined regional stability and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Addressing the council, bin Khothaila said that targeting neighboring states and mediators amounted to a violation of the principles of good neighborliness and a betrayal of peace initiatives.

He added that attacks on countries not directly involved in the conflict were “unjustifiable and unacceptable.”He accused Iran of pursuing a strategy involving support for militias and destabilization of neighboring countries, warning that such conduct posed a direct threat to international peace and security.

He also said the attacks had caused civilian casualties and damage to residential areas and critical infrastructure.

The Saudi envoy stated that the strikes constituted serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. He rejected any attempt by Tehran to deny responsibility, saying the evidence was clear and accountability unavoidable.

“Continuing this approach will bring Iran no gains, but will instead impose a high political and economic cost and deepen its isolation,” he said, urging Iranian authorities to reconsider their actions.

Bin Khothaila also condemned attacks on commercial shipping and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting their implications for global energy markets and trade.

He warned that interference with energy supplies and food systems could have severe consequences, particularly for developing economies vulnerable to external shocks.

Calling for a stronger international response, he said the situation demanded urgent action to protect civilians and critical infrastructure, adding that “silence is no longer an option.”