World leaders decry possible IDF invasion of Lebanon in statements

In the statement, the leaders demanded an end to Hezbollah’s attacks and its “targeting of civilians,” and condemned attacks on civilians and medical infrastructure in Lebanon. It also called on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which required the disarmament of all non-state actors in southern Lebanon.

Notably, the joint declaration criticized the possibility of an Israeli ground invasion, which analysts have speculated to be in the works since early March.

Describing Lebanon’s humanitarian situation as “deeply alarming,”  the statement is not the only recent expression of concern stemming from Europe.

The joint statement of European leaders follows a Sunday post from French President Emmanuel Macron on X/Twitter calling on Israel and Hezbollah to end hostilities and for talks between Israel and Lebanon, with Macron offering to mediate in the event of direct negotiations.

“The Lebanese executive has signaled its willingness for direct discussions with Israel,” he wrote, adding that France is willing to host talks in Paris.

Roughly a week earlier, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas issued a similar statement, blaming Hezbollah for the renewed combat but lambasting Israel for an overly “heavy-handed” response.

“[The response] risks drawing Lebanon and its people into a war that is not theirs, with severe humanitarian consequences,” she wrote.

“Israel should cease its operations in Lebanon. Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.”

Kallas also reiterated the EU’s support for UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force stationed in Lebanon’s south since 1978, and demanded a guarantee of safety for its troops.

Fears of an Israeli ground invasion began when Hezbollah shattered the roughly year-long ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon by initiating attacks against Israel as a response to Israel’s assassination of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Since then, Israel has struck hundreds of Hezbollah targets, including personnel and infrastructure. Last Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered the IDF’s Golani infantry brigade to the country’s north, a move that signifies offensive action.

On Tuesday, the IDF announced that troops from the 36th division (of which Golani is a part of) had begun a limited operation into southern Lebanon. While this operation doesn’t have the goal of reaching the Litani river as a full ground invasion would, the possibility of one occurring hasn’t been ruled out, and Israel has issued sweeping evacuation orders in the region.

On Friday, Axios reported that Israel plans on seizing all land south of the Litani River, citing Israeli and American officials. According to the Israeli official cited, last week's coordinated Hezbollah-Iran attack, in which the Lebanese terrorist group fired some 200 missiles at Israel, was the catalyst for the decision to commit to a full ground invasion.