18 European Countries Urge Israel to Stop Military Operations to Expand Occupation in Lebanon

JAKARTA - A total of 18 countries in Europe urged Israel to stop its military operations to expand the occupied area in southern Lebanon.

Dozens of European countries have condemned the increase in violence in Lebanon, which has displaced 1.2 million people, or about 25 percent of Lebanon's total population.

"Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks must be stopped. We urge Israel to fully respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," said a joint statement by 18 countries in Europe on Thursday, April 2, quoted from the Belgian Government Office website.

The 18 countries that issued a joint statement on the situation in Lebanon are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

They are concerned about the conflict in the Middle East including the humanitarian situation in Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 1,000 people have been killed so far, most of them civilians, including children, aid workers, and journalists.

"We remind Israel of its obligation to fully comply with international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and stress the importance of protecting civilians and civilian objects. Attacks against civilians, health workers, aid workers, journalists, civilian infrastructure and facilities are unjustifiable and unacceptable. These attacks must be stopped immediately," the statement said.

The dozen European countries also pushed for an independent investigation to ensure accountability for the high potential for human rights violations amid Israel's invasion of Lebanon.

"We also call for full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected populations," the statement said.