The leading diplomat of the European Union stated on Tuesday that Israel has “no excuses” for neglecting to enforce a ceasefire with Hezbollah, asserting that all of Israel’s security concerns have been addressed through a deal mediated by the U.S. and France.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s outgoing foreign policy chief, called for increased pressure on Israeli officials to curb extremist factions within the government that are resistant to accepting the proposed ceasefire. Speaking from the sidelines of a G7 meeting in Italy, Borrell cautioned that failure to implement a ceasefire could lead to the disintegration of Lebanon.
Israeli authorities announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet was scheduled to meet to review the ceasefire proposal on Tuesday. A key issue on the agenda is Israel’s insistence on retaining the right to respond militarily if Hezbollah breaches the terms of the deal.
Borrell confirmed that the U.S. would lead a committee focused on implementing the ceasefire, with France participating at Lebanon’s request. He reiterated that the agreement brokered by the U.S. and France adequately addressed Israeli security issues. “There is no justification for delaying a ceasefire; otherwise, Lebanon may collapse,” Borrell warned reporters in Fiuggi, Italy.
Hezbollah commenced hostilities against Israel on October 8, 2023, just one day following Hamas’s assault on southern Israel, which ignited more than a year of conflict. This tension escalated dramatically in September, resulting in extensive Israeli aerial bombardments in Lebanon and a ground invasion into the southern part of the country. Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets toward Israeli military stations and civilian areas, including around 250 projectiles on a single Sunday.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has reportedly inflicted heavy casualties, with over 44,000 individuals dead and more than 104,000 injured amid the protracted war between Israel and Hamas, according to statistics from Gaza’s Health Ministry.
In further developments, Borrell urged immediate humanitarian aid for Gaza during his discussions with G7 and Arab ministers. He suggested that the United Nations Security Council should pass a resolution explicitly demanding that humanitarian assistance reaches Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting that deliveries had been severely hampered.
“The two-state solution is important but will have to be addressed later. For now, we are talking about urgent needs for desperate Palestinians,” he noted. “Hunger has been weaponized against a population that feels entirely abandoned.” This comment referred to principal allegations made by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu and a former defense minister.
Borrell emphasized that signatories of the ICC, which includes six of the seven G7 nations, have legal obligations under international law to comply with the ICC’s mandates. Although Italy brought the ICC warrants to the G7’s attention, there was no unified response due to differing views, particularly from the U.S., which asserted that the warrants were “outrageous.” Italy has also expressed its respect for the court but remains concerned that the warrants may have politically motivated aspects, considering that Netanyahu’s cooperation is deemed crucial for achieving peace in Gaza and Lebanon.
“Regardless of opinions, the International Criminal Court stands as a legitimate court equivalent to any national legal system,” Borrell commented. “Should European support wane for the ICC, hopes for achieving justice will dissipate,” he added.