EU Criticizes Israeli Airstrikes, Calls for Lebanon to be Included in Ceasefire

According to multiple foreign media reports, after the temporary ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran came into effect, Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon, causing severe casualties. Lebanon immediately declared a national mourning period. Iran officially issued a statement accusing Israel of "violating the ceasefire agreement" and warned that if Israel continued to attack Lebanon, Iran might withdraw from the ceasefire agreement.

Facing the potential collapse of the agreement due to this conflict, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who is currently visiting the Middle East, posted on social media platform X on the 9th, stating that although Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the war, this does not mean that Israel, with its right to self-defense, has the right to cause such massive destruction.

He said that Israeli airstrikes killed hundreds of people, and such aggressive tactics make it difficult to accept the claim of self-defense. Israel's actions are putting pressure on the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Kallas emphasized that the scope of the ceasefire agreement should be expanded to include Lebanon; at the same time, Hezbollah must be disarmed, and the EU supports Lebanon's efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

In another post, Kallas mentioned that even with a temporary ceasefire agreement, regional uncertainty still exists. He met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem AlBudaiwi to discuss how to transform this ceasefire agreement into a more lasting peace.

He said that this crisis demonstrates the need for a stronger partnership between the EU and Gulf countries, including cooperation in security and defense, which will make both sides stronger. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150409