The top diplomat for the European Union stated on Tuesday that Israel had no justifications for not implementing a truce with the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah, claiming that the agreement mediated by the United States and France had addressed all of its security concerns.
The departing head of EU foreign policy, Josep Borrell, demanded that Israel be put under more pressure to quell government zealots who are rejecting the agreement. Borrell said that Lebanon will collapse if a ceasefire is not put in place while speaking on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Italy.
The security cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider a potential truce, according to Israeli authorities. The Israeli demand to reserve the right to take action in the event that Hezbollah breaches its responsibilities under the new agreement is one of the outstanding difficulties.
According to Borrell, France would join a ceasefire implementation committee at Lebanon’s request, but the United States would serve as its chair.
Borrell told reporters in Fiuggi, Italy, that Israel had all security concerns (resolved) on the proposed accord mediated by the United States and France. There is no justification for not putting a ceasefire into effect. If not, Lebanon will disintegrate.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, right, and and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell prepare for a family photo at the G7 of foreign Ministers in Anagni, some 70 kilometers south-east of Rome, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Image courtesy of Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press
More than a year of fighting began when Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after Hamas attacked southern Israel. With significant Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and an Israeli ground invasion of the southern part of the nation in September, that turned into a full-scale conflict. Hezbollah launched thousands of rockets, including about 250 projectiles on Sunday, at Israeli cities, villages, and military installations.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the 13-month conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in over 44,000 deaths and over 104,000 injuries in the Gaza Strip.
This is the most recent:
Buildings close to Beirut airport are struck by Israeli aircraft.
BEIRUT At least six buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut were hit by Israeli jets on Tuesday, one of which crashed close to the nation’s sole airport.
The airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has remained operational despite being located next to the heavily populated areas where many of Hezbollah’s operations are centered, was surrounded by large smoke plumes.
The strikes occur only hours before a cabinet meeting in Israel was planned to debate a plan to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. According to the plan, Hezbollah would suspend its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River and Israeli forces would leave Lebanon for a two-month initial truce.
Reports of injuries from Tuesday’s airstrikes were not immediately available.
A top EU ambassador demands immediate assistance for Gaza.
FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends on December 1, suggested to the G7 and Arab ministers who participated in Monday’s talks that the U.N. Security Council adopt a resolution explicitly calling for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza, claiming that deliveries have been totally hampered.
Later, there will be a two-state solution. Everything will be revealed later. However, he added, “for desperate Palestinians, we are talking about weeks or days.” People who are totally abandoned have been attacked with hunger.
In its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, the International Criminal Court made reference to the primary charge.
According to Borrell, the court’s signatories—six of the seven G7 members—are required by international law to abide by and carry out the court’s rulings.
The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has termed the ICC warrants scandalous, so there was no agreement on how the G7 would react when host Italy brought them up at the last minute.
Given that Netanyahu is required for any agreement to stop the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Italy has also stated that it respects the court but voiced concern that the warrants were poorly thought out and politically motivated.
According to Borrell, whether you agree with it or not, the International Criminal Court has the same authority as any national court. He added that there would be little chance for justice if Europeans did not support the International Criminal Court.
In negotiations with the G7 and Arab ministers on Monday, Borrell, whose tenure ends on December 1, suggested that the U.N. Security Council adopt a resolution explicitly calling for humanitarian supplies to reach Palestinians in Gaza, claiming that deliveries had been totally hampered.
Later, there will be a two-state solution. Everything will be revealed later. However, he added, “for desperate Palestinians, we are talking about weeks or days.” People who are totally abandoned have been attacked with hunger.
In its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, the International Criminal Court made reference to the primary charge.
According to Borrell, the court’s signatories—six of the seven G7 members—are required by international law to abide by and carry out the court’s rulings.
The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has termed the ICC warrants scandalous, so there was no agreement on how the G7 would react when host Italy brought them up at the last minute.
Given that Netanyahu is required for any agreement to stop the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Italy has also stated that it respects the court but voiced concern that the warrants were poorly thought out and politically motivated.
According to Borrell, whether you agree with it or not, the International Criminal Court has the same authority as any national court. He added that there would be little chance for justice if Europeans did not support the International Criminal Court. (modified)
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