The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. have urged Israel not to pursue a ground offensive in Lebanon and asked officials from the two countries to negotiate a political solution.
“A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including ongoing mass displacement, is already deeply alarming,” the leaders said late Monday evening in a joint statement.
Israel has launched a significant military operation in Lebanon in response to missiles fired by the Iran-backed Hezbollah amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Tehran. The Israeli bombardments have killed more than 800 people since March 3, including more than 100 children, according to local media, and displaced more than 1 million people, according to Reuters.
Israel has invaded Lebanon several times in the past 50 years, most recently in 2024 as part of efforts to secure its northern border with the country against rocket fire.
Earlier on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said they had begun “limited and targeted ground operations” against “key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.”
The state leaders condemned the Hezbollah attacks and said they supported the efforts of the Lebanese government to disarm the group. Hezbollah had previously refused Beirut’s proposal to disarm.
The leaders’ statement added: “We stand in solidarity with the Lebanese government and people, who have been unwillingly drawn into conflict.”
