Leaders from nine Mediterranean European nations have called for a halt to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have denounced Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as “unacceptable,” a sentiment shared by Spain’s Prime Minister.
The three nations contribute approximately 2,000 troops to the UNIFIL mission, which reported that Israeli tank fire resulted in injuries to two peacekeepers yesterday.
Additionally, two more peacekeepers were injured today due to “explosions” near an observation tower.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged for an “end to all violence” against the peacekeepers in Lebanon, while Prime Minister Meloni from Italy stated, “It is not acceptable.”
In a subsequent joint statement, the three leaders expressed “outrage” over the injuries sustained by peacekeepers, asserting that the “attacks” violate Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution stipulates that only UN and Lebanese military personnel should be present in southern Lebanon.
“These attacks are unjustifiable and must cease immediately,” the statement insisted, demanding “an immediate ceasefire.”
Israel’s military contended that their forces fired at a “threat” and struck a UNIFIL position. A day prior, they had indicated their fire in the vicinity of the UN base due to Hezbollah activities in the area.
Currently, there are 277 Irish personnel engaged with UNIFIL in Lebanon. The Defence Forces have confirmed that none of the Irish troops have been involved in any incidents with Israeli forces.
Ceasefire ‘indispensable’
Since late last month, Israeli operations against the Iran-aligned Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have intensified, coinciding with ongoing conflict against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
“Just a few miles away from Cyprus, we are witnessing war. We are in a dire situation,” remarked Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides as he inaugurated the summit.
Known as MED9, this group convened leaders from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, and Croatia, along with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, for the one-day meeting in Paphos.
Mr. Christodoulides stated that MED9 is advocating for the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the resumption of negotiations.
President Macron further emphasized that this “ceasefire is essential for both Gaza and Lebanon.”
The French president faced backlash from Israel’s government last weekend for suggesting that nations ought to “stop delivering weapons for combat in Gaza,” while clarifying that France itself was not supplying any.
During the summit, he expressed that “halting the export of weapons” used in Gaza and Lebanon is the sole method to end the fighting there.
“This is not a plea to disarm Israel against the threats faced by its people, our allies,” Mr. Macron added.
The leaders also deliberated on increasing aid to Gaza, with Jordan proposing a new plan.
“France will contribute to it,” stated Mr. Macron.
Lebanon’s Call for ‘Immediate’ Ceasefire
Lebanon has urged the UN to demand an “immediate” ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, as nearly three weeks into this conflict have resulted in 1,200 deaths and the displacement of over a million individuals.
This appeal followed Israeli airstrikes in Beirut targeting Hezbollah’s security chief, which resulted in 22 fatalities—marking the deadliest strike in the city since hostilities escalated.
In a televised address, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that the foreign ministry would seek a UN Security Council resolution advocating for a “full and immediate ceasefire.”
He also stated the need for the Lebanese army and peacekeepers to be the sole armed forces in southern Lebanon, adding that “Hezbollah is in agreement on this issue,” though the group has yet to comment on his remarks.
Hezbollah is heavily armed and controls significant portions of Lebanon, with successive Lebanese governments struggling to rein it in.
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Hezbollah has engaged Israel in multiple conflicts in recent decades, while the weak Lebanese military has largely been unable to operate in many regions dominated by the militants.
Following a year of cross-border attacks, Israel escalated its assaults on Hezbollah strongholds and deployed ground forces into southern Lebanon to secure its northern frontier.
According to an AFP tally based on Lebanese health ministry data, the conflict has resulted in over 1,200 deaths and displaced more than a million people since September 23.
The areas hardest hit are predominantly inhabited by Shia Muslims, where Hezbollah has established its support base by offering protection and services amid a state plagued by sectarian strife and corruption.
Nonetheless, Christian communities near the border have also found themselves caught in the crossfire.
“When Israel bombards, it flies over our heads. And when Hezbollah retaliates, it too whizzes by above,” said Christian resident Joseph Jarjour in a phone call from Rmeish, a border village.
“We are peaceful; we possess no weapons. War has never been our preference,” he remarked.
Israel did not issue an evacuation order ahead of the strike.
Ceasefire Appeals
Mr. Mikati’s statement adds to a growing chorus advocating for de-escalation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution to avert a broader conflict while supporting efforts to empower the Lebanese state against Hezbollah.
“It’s apparent that the citizens of Lebanon have a significant interest in the state asserting its authority and taking responsibility for the nation’s future,” he stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the Lebanese populace to rebel against Hezbollah or risk suffering a fate akin to that of the citizens in Hamas-dominated Gaza.
“Liberate your country from Hezbollah so that this war can conclude,” he declared.
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon has been placed in the spotlight, tasked with overseeing areas along the border.
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In central Beirut, residents—some in tears—were checking their homes and inquiring about neighbors following a strike on Hezbollah’s security chief that resulted in 22 casualties.
“The head of Hezbollah’s security apparatus, Wafiq Safa, was targeted,” a source affiliated with Hezbollah revealed to AFP, requesting anonymity to share the details.
Mr. Safa was a close associate of Hezbollah’s deceased leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in south Beirut last month.
Neighborhood residents expressed astonishment at the brutality of the attack.
“Numerous families reside here, many displaced from southern Lebanon, with relatives in the vicinity,” stated Bilal Othman.
“Are they (Israel) implying that there is nowhere safe left in this country?”
Promised Retaliation
Hezbollah commenced its attacks on Israel in support of its Palestinian ally, Hamas, following the devastating events of October 7, which marked the worst day in Israel’s history.
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas and secure the return of hostages taken by militants on October 7.
As Hamas remains weakened but not defeated in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu pledged to fortify Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, facilitating the return of tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollah’s cross-border aggression.
With Lebanon ensnared in political and economic turmoil for years, Hezbollah’s power and influence have only grown stronger in the Mediterranean nation.
The Beirut port explosion of 2020, which resulted in over 200 deaths and remains unpunished, starkly illustrates the failure of Lebanese institutions to uphold any semblance of law and order.
Israel has threatened retaliation against Iran for a missile attack last week, which Iran claims was avenged for the assassinations of key allies, Hezbollah leader Mr. Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with an Iranian general.
Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, declared to the UN Security Council that his country is “fully prepared to defend its sovereignty” if attacked.
President Biden has cautioned Israel against targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and opposes striking oil installations.
