Brussels, March 19 (SANA) The European Union called on Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon, stressing that the humanitarian situation has become severe, with more than one million people displaced.
According to AFP, the EU said in a statement it was “deeply concerned about the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which has already caused devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a prolonged conflict,” urging Israel to stop its attacks.
The bloc said that attacks on civilians, medical personnel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are “unjustified and unacceptable” and must cease immediately.
The EU also criticized Hezbollah, saying its decision to drag Lebanon into the conflict, refuse to disarm and continue attacks on Israel has contributed to the escalation.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had earlier described a ceasefire as “the best opportunity” to prevent widespread chaos in Lebanon, calling on Hezbollah to disarm and on Israel to halt its operations.
In a related development, France’s Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot would visit Lebanon to express Paris’ support and solidarity with the Lebanese people.
The situation in Lebanon has escalated sharply since March 2 following Hezbollah attacks on Israeli positions, with Israel carrying out daily airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and large areas in southern and Bekaa, resulting in hundreds of deaths and more than 2,000 injuries.
The escalation entered a more dangerous phase after Israeli forces carried out a ground incursion into southern Lebanon on Monday along multiple axes.
F.J.
