The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell (L), received by Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, in Beirut on Nov. 24, 2024. (Credit: Najib Mikati's press office)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, during a visit to Beirut on Sunday, called for an “immediate cease-fire” between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, describing the country as being “on the verge of collapse.”
“Two months ago, as today, we saw only one possible path: an immediate cease-fire and full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701,” Borrell said following a meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He also praised “efforts by the United States and France” to advance talks.
Responding to a journalist’s question, he described the failed cease-fire negotiations in late September — rejected by Israel shortly before its killing of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Sept. 27 — as a “missed opportunity.” Hezbollah had reportedly agreed to a cease-fire on the same day.
Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, mandates the exclusive presence of the Lebanese Army and U.N. peacekeepers along Lebanon’s southern border. It calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal and also demands that Israeli forces cease their current ground offensive, ongoing since September 30.
Borrell also commended the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), highlighting its critical role in “an increasingly challenging environment.” Noting that over 10,000 peacekeepers are deployed, with several injured recently, he denounced attacks on UNIFIL as “completely unacceptable.”
Pressuring Israel
“We must exert pressure on the Israeli government and maintain pressure on Hezbollah to accept the American cease-fire proposal,” Borrell stated. The U.S. plan, encompassing a 60-day truce and Lebanese Army deployment in southern Lebanon, has yet to yield tangible results amid intensified Israeli strikes targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
“Two months ago, I hoped to prevent an all-out Israeli war against Lebanon. Now, the country is on the brink of collapse,” Borrell said, following earlier talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Mikati stressed the need for EU intervention to halt “Israeli aggression” and reiterated Beirut’s reliance on Europe for both political and economic support, as well as strengthening the army.
Supporting UNRWA and ICC Mandates
Borrell also reaffirmed EU backing for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), decrying Israel’s decision to outlaw the organization and bar its activities. “UNRWA’s services for half a million Palestinian refugees are irreplaceable. We condemn the Knesset’s law and urge the Israeli government not to enforce it,” he said.
On Gaza, Borrell condemned the ongoing violence, calling on the international community to end “the massacre” and sharing his plea with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Borrell defended the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif on charges of war crimes. “The ICC’s decisions are grounded in international law and must apply to everyone. We firmly support the court,” he said, brushing off threats from figures like U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, who warned of military action against the ICC following the warrants.
