Brussels, 29/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 28 January, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini condemned the violent incidents between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah Shi'ite movement at the Israeli-Lebanese border the same day, calling for “an immediate cessation of hostilities”. “The threats to Israel on its Northern border must stop”, she said in a press release. “An escalation in violence could be detrimental to the region as a whole in these difficult times”, Mogherini continued. She recalled that the attacks on the border “are undermining the cessation of hostilities established by the UNSC Resolution 1701 [United Nations Security Council on the Israeli-Lebanese conflict of 2006] and the peacebuilding efforts along the Blue Line [the line that sets the Israeli-Lebanese border]”.
Two Israeli soldiers and a Spanish UN peacekeeper were killed, and seven Israeli soldiers were wounded, during the Hezbollah-led attack in an occupied area at the border of Lebanon. In retaliation, Israel bombed several villages in the south of Lebanon. “The EU reiterates its full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission, the Lebanese army and the government and the people of Lebanon in much needed efforts to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon in these dramatic times for the country”, Mogherini stated.
At the request of France, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting during the evening of 28 January to discuss the situation. (CG)