EU's Josep Borrell Urges Israel to Halt Attacks on UN Peacekeepers Amid Escalating Tensions
Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, today urged Israel to cease its attempts to blame UN Secretary-General António Guterres as justification for attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Borrell emphasized that the deployment of UNIFIL is a decision made by the UN Security Council and not merely a personal decision of its highest official, Guterres. "It is completely unacceptable to attack United Nations troops," he stated as he arrived for a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
Borrell further highlighted that a joint statement from the Twenty-Seven EU member states, agreed upon on Sunday, explicitly called on Israel's government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, to immediately stop its attacks on UNIFIL. This plea comes just before a scheduled UN Security Council meeting to review the precarious situation in both Lebanon and Israel, where Israel has demanded the evacuation of UNIFIL facilities.
The Spanish politician also pointed out the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, noting that the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza has reached its lowest levels since the outbreak of the current conflict. Hunger has, according to Borrell, emerged as a weapon of war, exacerbating the plight of those affected.
He expressed profound concern over Israel's directive asking 400,000 residents in northern Gaza to relocate southward amidst the escalating conflict. The situation is further complicated by rising violence in the West Bank, which has seen an increase in attacks perpetrated by settlers.
As EU representatives continue to navigate this complex landscape, Borrell mentioned that discussions are underway regarding potential sanctions against violent settlers and even members of the Israeli government. He also stressed the urgency of the situation regarding the Islamist group Hamas, which continues to hold Israeli hostages following the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
Concluding his remarks, Borrell called for an immediate ceasefire across the region, warning that failure to do so could yield catastrophic consequences for all involved. His statement is a clear call to action for political unity and humanitarian response amid a climate of increasing violence and instability in the region.
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