
Israel Kills 254 in Lebanon Strikes, Threatens US-Iran Ceasefire, EU Condemns
Key Takeaways
- Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon draw EU condemnation and threaten the US-Iran ceasefire.
- EU demands Lebanon inclusion in the ceasefire and Hezbollah disarmament amid rising tensions.
- US-hosted talks explore extending the truce to Lebanon amid mounting regional mediation.
EU Condemns Israel
Lebanon declared a period of national mourning after Israeli strikes killed at least 254 people in a single day.
The European Union strongly condemned Israel's strikes, with Kaja Kallas stating Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the war but Israel's right to defend itself does not justify such massive destruction.

Kallas warned that Israeli actions are putting the US-Iran ceasefire under severe strain and insisted that the Iran truce should extend to Lebanon.
Israel quickly contradicted Pakistan's assertion that the truce would cover Lebanon and launched new strikes.
The Israeli army said it had targeted military sites used by Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the shelling had been committed against civilian areas in utter disregard for the principles of international law.
Israel Rejects Lebanon Inclusion
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to Kallas by accusing Hezbollah of firing roughly 6,500 missiles at Israeli communities.
Sa'ar asserted that the vast majority of the casualties were Hezbollah terrorists.

He said Kallas's call to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon was exactly the Iranian terror regime’s position.
The White House confirmed that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire with Iran.
Vice President JD Vance said Washington never made that promise.
The contradictory claims between Tehran and Washington contributed to the confusion as Israel continued its strikes.
European Pressure Mounts
European nations intensified diplomatic pressure on Israel to end the fighting in Lebanon.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said we want to see Lebanon as part of the ceasefire.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot added Lebanon must be part of the ceasefire agreement.
Spain's foreign minister accused Israel of committing violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon.
The EU foreign affairs chief and several member states condemned Israel's killing of some 200 people.
The International Committee of the Red Cross called for all parties to protect civilians.
Ceasefire Ambiguity
The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was announced with Pakistan as a mediator.
Iran and Pakistan said the truce would cover Lebanon, but Israel and the US denied this.

The contradictory narratives stemmed from a legitimate misunderstanding, according to Vance.
The White House confirmed that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire with Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the ball is now in Washington's court.
The UN's human rights envoy called the Lebanon attack nothing short of horrific.
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