Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU foreign policy head revived calls for an “immediate ceasefire” in Lebanon and criticised Israel’s “unacceptable attacks” on UN peacekeepers in its fight against Hezbollah.
The war against the militia has pushed the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission to the vanguard of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. UNIFIL, deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, has noted several injuries and damage to its installations since Israel launched its ground offensive at the end of September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed Hezbollah is utilising the force as “human shields” and called on it to withdraw.
What are the implications of increased tension in the region?
The European Union calls “for an immediate ceasefire across the blue lines” UNIFIL monitors and the respect of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Only UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese army should be deployed in southern Lebanon, according to a 2006 Security Council resolution agreed after the last Israel-Hezbollah war that year.
Borrell also voiced “condemning the unacceptable attacks” by Israeli forces against UNIFIL structures and personnel. Referring to UN cautions that Gaza’s humanitarian crisis was the most destructive since World War II, Borrell stated the forum gathering leaders from the Mediterranean region must do more than “just expressing concern”. “The way this war is being taken against civilians has grave concerns and put too many unanswered questions.”
How does the eu plan to support Lebanon’s army?
Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for international backing for the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and immediate support of the country’s army.
“We know who is attacking Unifil. I’ve been watching videos where it’s clear that Israeli Defence Forces are attacking Unifil, and it is completely unacceptable. The Lebanese army has to be reinforced, and once there is a ceasefire, the Lebanese army has to deploy in the south,” he said.
Hamas’s unprecedented aggression against Israel on October 7 last year started the Gaza war, sparked hostilities across the Lebanese-Israeli border, and flashed the first direct attacks between Israel and Iran.
