The conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah threatens to plunge the Middle East into a full-scale war, European diplomacy chief Josep Borrell has warned.
"I can say that we are almost on the brink of a full-scale war," declared the diplomat, who took part in the G7 meeting on the eve of the start of the UN General Assembly's "summit week" in New York.
According to Lebanese authorities, intensive Israeli strikes have led to the deaths of at least 500 people in Lebanon, including 35 children.
Lebanon experienced its deadliest day in almost a year of fighting between the two sides on the periphery of the Gaza war.
The EU high representative also called for a ceasefire along the Blue Line between northern Israel and southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, AFP reported.
Borrell condemned the fact that civilians "are paying an unbearable, unacceptable price", as is happening in Gaza, which has been devastated by almost a year of war.
Since 2000, a UN "Blue Line" has separated Lebanese forces from those of Israel.
"Now is the time to do something. Everyone must do everything in their power to stop this," he said, acknowledging the failure of previous diplomatic efforts to stop the Gaza war. | BGNES
