The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, has explained that the foreign ministers of the Twenty-Seven agree that Lebanon must be covered by the ceasefire sealed on Sunday night between the United States and Iran, after the Israeli government refused to withdraw its troops from Lebanese territory.
In a press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), held this Monday in Luxembourg, and asked about Israel's refusal to withdraw its Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza "without time limit," the head of community diplomacy presented the prevailing position among the Member States.
"We have of course discussed the issue of Lebanon and the ministers have indicated that Lebanon should be covered by the ceasefire, because it is really necessary," stated the Estonian official, who lamented the "escalation" of attacks recorded in the country in recent weeks.
After highlighting that the ministers welcome the provisional peace agreement reached on Sunday between Washington and Tehran, Kallas has offered "from economic support to nuclear expertise" from the European Union to "contribute to a sustainable solution" in the area, while acknowledging the role of the mediators, particularly Pakistan and Qatar.
Kallas's words come after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated this Monday that Israeli forces will not abandon the areas they control in Lebanon, and emphasized that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "made this point clear" to United States President Donald Trump hours after the provisional agreement between Washington and Tehran was announced to try to end the war in the Middle East.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are pushing a clear policy that determines that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain in the security zones of Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect the Israeli border and communities from there against jihadist elements," Katz stated.
Sanctions on Ben Gvir and trade with settlements
In this context, Kallas pointed out that, although some ministers have proposed sanctioning the Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, "no consensus has been reached on this matter today."
Regarding trade with the illegal settlements, he indicated that numerous member states have requested proposals from the Commission and that, therefore, he will forward the request to the Community Executive so that it elaborates, before the next CAE of July 13, "a list of possible commercial measures".
Among these measures are contemplated restrictions to curb the entry of products originating from the illegal settlements" in the West Bank, as the High Representative has specified, who will also request the Commission's analysis on the scope of eventual sanctions linked to the limitation of trade with said settlements.