Germany Urges Israel to Limit Attacks on Lebanon to Self-Defense

© WFP/Arete/Ali Yunes Refugee families in an emergency shelter in a parking lot in Beirut, Lebanon.

Germany has called on Israel to limit its military operations in Lebanon to only those necessary for self-defense and to act in accordance with international law.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul conveyed the message in a telephone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

"In his conversation with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Wadephul asked Israel to limit itself to the things necessary to defend itself against Hezbollah and not go beyond that," Giese said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, April 8.

Giese reiterated that Berlin expects Israel to use its right only to defend itself in accordance with international law.

Israel launched a massive offensive in southern Lebanon last month after a new rocket attack by Hezbollah.

Lebanese authorities reported 1,530 people dead and 4,812 injured in the Israeli attack, with more than 1 million others displaced.

The fighting has raised fears of a possible new Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon to the Litani River.

Although Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that the United States, Iran, and their allies had agreed to a two-week ceasefire "in all areas, including Lebanon and others," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later denied the claim.

He stressed that the two-week ceasefire "does not include Lebanon."

Meanwhile, the Lebanese military warned residents not to return to the south amid reports of a ceasefire, as they risk exposure to the ongoing Israeli attacks.