The escalation of violence in Lebanon and the threat of “total war” in the Middle East have become the main concern of the international community, including calls for a ceasefire at the General Assembly of the The UN last week were not heard. effect. EU High Representative Josep Borrell called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers to analyze the situation as well as possible actions in response.
Community sources reported the meeting, which will be held by videoconference this Monday. As this is an informal meeting, no concrete decisions can be taken, but the intention is to guide the EU’s response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Hundreds of people have died in recent days following Israeli bombings in Lebanon and tens of thousands have been forced to flee as violence escalates. In these attacks, Israel killed the leader of Hezbollah and many of its leaders. However, the bombings have continued in recent hours. In fact, this killing has left the region on the brink and has implications for Iran and the United States.
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, assured that he would speak in the coming days with Benjamin Netanyahu to try to reorient the situation and avoid all-out war. Despite calls, the massacre perpetrated by Israel in Gaza for almost a year after the Hamas attacks continues and the death toll now exceeds 44,000, the conflict has spread to Lebanon and there are also clashes between Israel and the Houthis in Yemen.
The EU’s response to the Gaza massacre has been lukewarm due to differences within the community club and the balance of many countries towards Israel. Spain and Ireland wanted to review the trade agreement due to the violation of human rights in Palestine, but the issue has stalled. The most important measure taken by the 27 was to sanction extremist settlers in the West Bank, although Washington had already done so.
Borrell’s latest attempt was to include in the sanctions regime Israeli ministers who he said had encouraged war crimes, but was met with rejection from the majority of European partners. This Monday’s meeting will be used to address these types of questions.
