The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Borrell was visiting Lebanon to discuss the situation, which has worsened over the past months. Since September 23, Israel has been launching heavy airstrikes on Lebanon and sending in ground troops, following a year of smaller attacks by Hezbollah. These attacks are in support of Hamas, which launched a deadly attack on Israel in October 2023, sparking the Gaza war.
Borrell emphasized that the only way to end the conflict is through an immediate ceasefire and the full implementation of a plan from the United Nations called Resolution 1701. This resolution was first created to end the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, and it says that only Lebanese troops and United Nations peacekeepers should be in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds power. The resolution also requires Israel to remove its troops from Lebanon.
During his visit, Borrell met with the speaker of Lebanon’s parliament, Nabih Berri, who has been trying to mediate between Israel and Hezbollah. Borrell expressed deep concern for Lebanon, stating that the country is on the edge of collapse, with its people suffering the effects of the conflict. He also mentioned that the European Union is prepared to support Lebanon’s army with a 200 million-euro aid package to help strengthen peace efforts.
Countries like the United States and France are also working on a ceasefire plan. US envoy Amos Hochstein has been in both Israel and Lebanon discussing the situation. Borrell urged both Israel and Hezbollah to accept a ceasefire agreement based on the terms of Resolution 1701 and to stop the fighting immediately to prevent further harm to Lebanon and the region.
