EU’s Borrell calls for pressure on Israel, Hezbollah to accept cease-fire

BEIRUT

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called Sunday for pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to reach a cease-fire deal amid an exchange of cross-border attacks between the two sides.

“We must pressure the Israeli government and maintain the pressure on Hezbollah to accept the US proposal for a cease-fire,” Borrell told a press conference in Beirut following his talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

“Back in September, I came and was still hoping we could prevent a full-fledged war of Israel attacking Lebanon," Borrell said. "Two months later Lebanon is on the brink of collapse."

The US, Israel’s main ally, is mediating between Israel and Lebanon to reach a cease-fire deal to end more than a year of attacks between Hezbollah and Israel.

Borrell said the EU is ready to provide 200 million euros to boost the Lebanese army.

The European official also called on the Lebanese leaders to fulfill their political duties, beginning with electing a president to end a two-year power vacuum in the country.

The Lebanese Parliament has failed to elect a new president since the departure of President Michel Aoun in October 2022.

Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, an escalation of year-long warfare with the Lebanese group since the start of the Gaza war last year.

More than 3,600 victims have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with more than 15,300 injured and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi