EU’s foreign policy chief warns Middle East on brink of ‘complete conflagration’
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell delivers a speech at a news conference after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium, February 28, 2022. (AA Photo)
Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, warned Monday that the entire Middle East is on the brink of a “complete conflagration that the international community looks unable to control.”
His comments came on the first anniversary of the ongoing violence in Gaza, where he noted, “The situation is only getting worse.”
Borrell stated that people in the region are more insecure than ever, trapped in an “unending cycle of violence, hatred, and revenge.”
He expressed the EU’s disapproval of the escalating violence, which includes Hezbollah’s rocket attacks, Israeli bombardments in Lebanon, and the displacement of over a million Lebanese and 60,000 Israelis, as well as rising tensions from Iranian missile attacks and concerning developments in the West Bank.
Emphasizing that military operations will not provide a future for Israelis and Palestinians, Borrell stated, “Only a political solution will bring peace, security, and prosperity.”
He highlighted the EU’s collaboration with Arab partners to promote the two-state solution, mentioning that two weeks ago, the EU garnered significant support among U.N. member states for this political solution.
Immediate cease-fire ‘only way’
Borrell insisted that an immediate cease-fire is “the only way” to secure the release of hostages and de-escalate the “dangerous” situation, which poses a global threat.
He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to diplomacy, noting essential steps such as initiating Lebanon’s presidential election process, deploying the Lebanese Army in the south, strengthening the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, and organizing a humanitarian conference.
“The time for the cease-fire is now,” he declared, warning that “tomorrow might be too late.” He added that the October 7 anniversary underscores the urgent need for a regional cease-fire.
Despite a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
In the past year, nearly 42,000 people, predominantly women and children, have been killed, and more than 97,300 have been injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli assault has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza amid an ongoing blockade that has created severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
As international organizations and regional countries call for a cease-fire, tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East, particularly following Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon.
