EU urges Israel to ‘stop military escalation in Lebanon’

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha ) : The European Union has joined calls for Israel to halt its expanding attacks in Lebanon after Netanyahu said he had ordered more attacks in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

"We call on Israel to stop its military escalation in Lebanon and to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said. He also called for continued diplomatic engagement led by the US and other international partners to achieve a negotiated path toward long-term stability.

People of Lebanon have already endured immense hardship,' European Commission spokesperson says. El Anouni added that people in both Lebanon and Israel have the right to live in peace, security, and dignity, free from the threat of renewed conflict.

He said the EU stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people and will continue providing support and emergency assistance to help authorities respond to the crisis. On security, El Anouni said the bloc is considering additional measures to support stability in Lebanon, including a possible new mission aimed at strengthening state authority.

Israel's latest assault on Lebanon began in March, soon after Hezbollah's retaliation to the US-Israeli war on Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered troops to expand the incursion, despite a US-mediated ceasefire in place.