FIUGGI, Italy — The European Union’s chief diplomat emphasized on Tuesday that Israel has no justification for declining a ceasefire with Hezbollah, asserting that all of Israel’s security apprehensions have been dealt with in an agreement brokered by the U.S. and France.
Josep Borrell, the outgoing head of EU foreign policy, urged for heightened pressure on Israel to counteract far-right elements within its government that are opposed to the ceasefire proposal. Speaking during a Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Italy, Borrell cautioned that a failure to implement a ceasefire could lead to a disintegration of Lebanon.
Israeli officials reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet was set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire proposal. A significant point of contention includes Israel’s demand to retain the right to respond if Hezbollah violates any terms of the agreement.
Borrell noted that under the proposed framework, the U.S. would lead a committee overseeing the ceasefire implementation, with France participating at Lebanon’s request.
He stated, “The proposed agreement brokered by the U.S. and France has addressed all of Israel’s security concerns. There is no excuse for not implementing a ceasefire, or else Lebanon faces collapse.”
Following the unexpected attacks by Hamas in October 2023, a period of intense violence flared between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group, culminating in a full-blown conflict with Israel targeting Hezbollah’s top leaders and deploying ground forces in southern Lebanon.
Reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry indicate that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in over 3,500 fatalities and injured more than 15,000 civilians in Lebanon. Meanwhile, on the Israeli side, approximately 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have lost their lives due to rocket attacks, drones, and ground confrontations in northern Israel.
The G7 meeting of foreign ministers from leading industrialized nations, marking the conclusion of the Biden administration’s tenure, was primarily focused on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Alongside G7 ministers, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates participated in the discussions.
Borrell, whose term is set to conclude on December 1, advocated that the G7 and Arab ministers should push the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution mandating humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting the severe restrictions hampering aid deliveries to the region.
“The resolution focusing on the immediate needs of desperate Palestinians is crucial. The conversation regarding the two-state solution or other issues can follow later. Right now, we are talking about survival for people facing starvation,” he noted, referring to allegations made by the International Criminal Court against Israeli leadership. The Israeli government has rejected these accusations, labeling them as anti-Semitic and a beneficial outcome for terrorism, while claiming that the charges overlook Israel’s right to defend itself.
Borrell pointed out that signatories of the ICC, which includes six out of the seven G7 nations, are obligated under international law to respect the court’s rulings. Notably, the U.S. is not a party to the court and has denounced the arrest warrants as “outrageous.”
Italy, which hosted the G7 meeting, introduced the ICC warrants into the agenda at the last moment, yet there was no consensus on how the G7 should address the situation due to the U.S. perspective. Although Italy recognizes the court’s authority, it has expressed concerns that the arrest warrants may have been politically driven, considering Netanyahu’s role is crucial for any peace framework to resolve the ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon.
“The reality is, whether one agrees or not, the International Criminal Court possesses authority comparable to that of any national court,” Borrell commented. “If European nations do not stand behind the ICC, it ultimately undermines any hope for justice.”
While the preceding discussions at the G7 focused on the Middle Eastern conflicts, attention shifted on Tuesday to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was present to provide updates concerning Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, as stated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Tajani emphasized Italy and the G7’s commitment, saying, “We aim to prominently convey our solidarity in support of Ukraine.” The G7 has consistently led efforts to provide military and economic aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, and there are concerns among member nations on how a prospective Trump administration might alter U.S. support.
Trump’s critique of the extensive funds allocated to Ukraine by the Biden administration and his claims of being able to resolve the conflict swiftly suggest that he might pressure Ukraine into ceding territories currently under Russian control.
Tensions have escalated further following a recent Russian strike using an experimental hypersonic ballistic missile, which President Vladimir Putin stated was aimed at retaliating against Ukraine’s use of longer-range missiles provided by the U.S. and the U.K., capable of reaching deeper into Russian territory.