Mideast excursion: Baerbock issues grave "disaster" alert over potential escalation with Lebanon
In a prolonged confrontation, the extremist Hezbollah militia backed by Iran has been launching rockets and drones at Israel's northern territories for nearly eight months. Israel's military retaliation has focused on striking Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon's south.
Recently, Israel's top military brass has devised a battle strategy for a potential invasion of Lebanon. Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, warned Hezbollah of impending doom in a full-scale conflict.
Germany's Foreign Minister, Baerbock, and the EU's High Representative, Borrell, have again asked for a truce in Gaza. Baerbock expressed the urgent need for the cessation of hostilities by Hamas, release of hostages, and ending the Gaza Strip's violent turmoil. The plight of the two million Palestinians in the coastal region must be alleviated, she added.
Following the Foreign Ministers' meeting, Baerbock will head to Israel. She will kick off her visit with a speech at a security conference in Herzliya. On Tuesday, she'll meet with Israel's Foreign Minister Katz in Jerusalem. A discussion is scheduled with new Palestinian government leader Mohammed Mustafa in Ramallah as well.
Baerbock intends to visit Lebanon according to her declarations. Her last visit to the region was at the end of April, during which she conversed with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among others.
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- In light of the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Annalena Baerbock, Germany's Foreign Minister, issued a grave "disaster" alert, urging for a de-escalation.
- During her Middle East trip, Baerbock will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict and the need for a truce, following a meeting with the EU's High Representative, Josep Borrell.
- The potential invasion of Lebanon by Israel, as suggested by Israel's top military brass, has raised concerns in the EU, with Baerbock emphasizing the need to avoid a "disaster" in the Middle East.
- The "disaster" scenario in Lebanon, if not addressed, could lead to a severe escalation of the conflict, potentially involving neighboring countries like Luxembourg and the EU.
- Baerbock's Middle East trip includes a visit to Lebanon, where she plans to address the situation in South Lebanon, a region heavily affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Iran.
- As part of her efforts to de-escalate the tensions, Baerbock has called for an end to the rocket and drone attacks launched by Hezbollah against Israel, and for the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
- The EU, through its High Representative, Josep Borrell, has also been actively engaged in the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and advocating for a peaceful resolution, to prevent a "disaster" from occurring in the Middle East.
