Tensions between Israel and Lebanon worry the EU. Netanyahu moves troops northward

Brussels – The risk that Israel’s war in Gaza will also involve southern Lebanon “becomes greater every day.” That’s the alarm sounded by a very concerned Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, as he arrived in Luxembourg for his meeting with ministers of the Twenty-Seven. EU heads of state and government will also address the escalating tensions between the Israeli military and Hezbollah at the June 27–28 summit.

In the European Council conclusions document, which national diplomatic bodies are working on, there will again be room for a robust chapter devoted to the Middle East. According to the most recent draft viewed by Eunews, leaders will not only focus on the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the enclave but will express concern “about the growing tensions in the region, particularly along the Blue Line, and the increasing destruction and forced displacement of civilians on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border.”

The EU’s anxieties—shared by its US ally—were confirmed in yesterday’s announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a TV interview, he declared that the “intense phase” of the war in Gaza is in its final stage and that this would allow the movement of troops to the border with Lebanon. “For defensive purposes,” Netanyahu said, and “to bring home our residents,” the Israeli citizens of northern villages evacuated because of missiles fired by the Lebanese armed group. “If we can, we will do it diplomatically. If not, we will do it another way,” the Israeli premier threatened.

Not exactly in line with the call “to exercise restraint, prevent further tensions, and engage in international diplomatic efforts” expected to come to both sides from the European Council. Washington is also trying to reason with Israel, insisting that a conflict with Hezbollah would, in turn, risk actively dragging the far more dangerous Iran into hostilities as well. On the other hand, there are fears in Brussels that an Israeli invasion in southern Lebanon will provoke a new refugee crisis towards Europe.

The head of European diplomacy has been in collision with Netanyahu for months, and even today, he denounces the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza, where “the distribution of humanitarian aid has become impossible.” Despite daily tactical breaks announced by Israel, convoys “are not getting in, food remains stuck at the border and rotting.” And this weekend “was one of the bloodiest,” with more than a hundred Palestinians victims of Israeli attacks in the centre and south of the Strip, once again targeting garrisons of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

EU governments will return to these points as well, first calling on Israel to “halt its military offensive, in line with the International Court of Justice order of May 24, 2024.” Calling for “urgent full, rapid, and safe access to humanitarian aid” to address “catastrophic levels of hunger and the imminent risk of famine in Gaza.” Condemning “any attempt to label a UN agency (UNRWA, ed) as a terrorist organization” and “the Israeli government’s decisions to further expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.”

But Israel has been deaf to the condemnations of the international community for months. On the contrary, the Tel Aviv government yesterday published a studio conducted by several Israeli universities on the amount of food distributed in Gaza during May: “The quantity and quality of food aid delivered to Gaza has improved steadily since January 2024 and provides sufficient energy, protein and fat for the needs of the population,” is the surprising conclusion of the analysis shared by Israel.