On the evening of Wednesday 18 March, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service underlined the EU’s deep concern about the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which is already having devastating humanitarian consequences and “risks triggering a prolonged conflict”. “Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon,” he pleaded in a statement, also condemning Hezbollah’s decision to pull Lebanon into this war, its refusal to surrender its weapons and its continued indiscriminate attacks on Israel.
The spokesperson highlighted an “already dramatic” humanitarian situation, with the mass displacement of more than a million people, i.e. around 25% of the population, and the death of at least 900 people, including more than 100 children, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
“The attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as UNIFIL are unjustified and unacceptable and should stop immediately,” warned the spokesperson.
He also welcomed the Lebanese authorities’ call for direct negotiations with Israel, highlighting that it was essential to begin direct talks and reiterating the call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)