EU’s Kaja Kallas urges Israel to halt Lebanon operations and prioritise diplomacy

Brussels, Belgium. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon, adding that diplomacy offers the best chance of preventing the country from sliding into chaos.

Call for restraint and diplomacy

Kallas said Hezbollah’s decision to attack Israel in support of Iran endangers the entire region and adds what she called a deadly dimension. She said Israel has the right to self-defence in line with international law.

Concerns over impact in Lebanon

Kallas said Israel’s response has been heavy-handed and that its retaliation is causing mass displacement and further destabilising what she described as a fragile situation. She added that Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

How do you think diplomacy could be strengthened to prevent further destabilisation in Lebanon?