Middle East Crisis Israel-Hezbollah

EU demands Israel stop attacking Lebanon

The Israeli offensive in Lebanon is deeply worrying. This is what the EU countries write in a joint statement, according to AFP.

“The offensive has already had devastating humanitarian consequences and risks causing a protracted conflict. Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon,” the statement says.

On Wednesday, Israel launched several airstrikes on the capital Beirut. According to Israel, the aim is to wipe out the infrastructure of the terrorist group Hezbollah.

Several European leaders have previously called on Hezbollah to disarm and Israel to refrain from a ground offensive, according to Deutsche Welle.

Lebanon is also trying to pressure Israel diplomatically, Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh told L’Orient Today.

– But on the one hand, Israel refuses a ceasefire and on the other hand, there is a deadlock over the composition of the Lebanese negotiating delegation, he tells the newspaper.

Over 1,000 killed in Lebanon – UN steps up response

More than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks in the past month. This is according to statistics from local health authorities, according to Al Jazeera. The UN says it is now stepping up its aid efforts in Lebanon.

Israel's attacks on Lebanon intensified in early March after a series of rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which is labeled a terrorist group. The rocket attacks were in turn said to be a response to the killing of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Earlier this week, Israel launched a ground offensive in Lebanon and the EU, among others, has warned of devastating humanitarian consequences.

Israel and Hezbollah — the issue

• Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon broke out on March 2 after Hezbollah attacked Israel in revenge for the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Israel has carried out extensive air and ground attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and Beirut, which according to Lebanese health authorities have led to the death of at least 968 people.
• Over a million people have been forced to flee their homes in Lebanon. Only about 130,000 live in refugee camps and many lack access to shelter and healthcare.
• The UN and aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian disaster, as overcrowded housing and a lack of resources particularly affect women and children.
• Israel has announced that the ground invasion in southern Lebanon aims to knock out Hezbollah's military infrastructure and create a buffer zone on the border.