In a recent interview with Euronews, Ambassador of Lebanon to Belgium Fadi Hajali expressed his concerns over the escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which he referred to as an “existential threat” to the Lebanese people. Hajali highlighted the significant number of casualties from the Israeli bombardment on Monday, calling it atrocious and unprecedented in Lebanon. He accused Israel of targeting the defenseless population of Lebanon without differentiating between civilian and military targets, potentially violating international human rights laws.
Hajali appealed to the international community to intervene and help resolve the conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent a full-blown war. While EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell expressed his concerns about the escalating tensions, Brussels has not yet announced the possibility of imposing sanctions on Israel. The ambassador appreciated the EU’s economic and humanitarian support, including funding for the Lebanese army and hospitals, as well as Borrell’s condemnation of Israel’s actions. However, Hajali urged Brussels to consider taking further steps by imposing sanctions on Israel or reevaluating the entire EU-Israel relationship.
The Israeli Defence Forces claim to have targeted numerous Hezbollah group sites in northern Israel, which has a history of attacking the region. According to Hajali, the conflict goes beyond attacks on Hezbollah and is a broader assault on Lebanon as a whole. He described the situation as a war against the country, its people, and civilians, stressing the urgency of ending the aggression. The ambassador called for unity in denouncing Israel’s actions and urged for immediate action to stop the ongoing hostilities.
In the full Euronews interview, Hajali reiterated the devastating impact of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the urgent need for international intervention to stop the conflict. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and ending the aggression against Lebanon, calling for a united front in condemning Israel’s actions. The ambassador’s plea for Brussels to consider imposing sanctions on Israel reflects the Lebanese government’s determination to hold Israel accountable for its actions and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. As the situation in the region remains tense, the international community’s response to the escalating violence will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the conflict and ensuring the safety and security of the Lebanese people.
