EU: No peace possible while “Lebanon is in flames”

Key Points

• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Israel's strikes on Lebanon as 'heavy-handed' and beyond legitimate self-defense.
• The EU warned that continued bombardment threatens the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, with Iran conditioning its compliance on Israel halting attacks in Lebanon.
• Lebanon's government, backed by the EU, calls for a total ceasefire, Hezbollah's disarmament, and direct political negotiations with Israel.
• No direct diplomatic channels exist between Lebanon and Israel; talks are mediated via the UN and international actors.

Full Details

On April 9, 2026, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Israel's 'heavy-handed' strikes on Lebanon, stating they exceed self-defense and make it 'hard to argue such actions fall within self-defense.' She urged Israel to halt attacks and warned that continued bombardment jeopardizes the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, with Iran threatening to abort the deal if Israel doesn't stop targeting Hezbollah. The EU's diplomatic service, on behalf of 10 member states, placed responsibility for the conflict on Hezbollah and called for its attacks to cease immediately. Lebanon's government, supported by the EU, advocates for a total ceasefire, Hezbollah's disarmament, and direct Lebanese-Israeli talks under international auspices. However, no direct diplomatic relations exist between Lebanon and Israel, with negotiations only occurring via UN mediators. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Hezbollah 'with force, precision, and determination,' showing no signs of backing down.