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The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, expressed concern at the inability of global powers to halt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Borrell acknowledged that despite diplomatic efforts, Netanyahu appears determined to continue military operations against Hezbollah and Hamas.
Borrell told reporters that Netanyahu had made it clear that Israel "won’t stop until Hezbollah is destroyed." Reflecting on the conflict, Borrell said, "If the interpretation of being destroyed is the same as with Hamas, then we are going to go for a long war."
Borrell lamented the lack of success in international efforts to broker a ceasefire. "What we do is to put all diplomatic pressure for a cease-fire, but nobody seems to be able to stop Netanyahu, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank," he said.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 79th Session of the U.N. General Assembly at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City on Sept. 27, 2024. (Charly Triballeau/AFP)
Borrell reiterated his support for a ceasefire proposal led by the United States and France, which aims for a 21-day halt in fighting in Lebanon.
However, Israel has so far rejected the ceasefire initiative, choosing to intensify its airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
The bombing campaign has claimed over 700 lives since Monday, according to local reports.
Despite the growing death toll, Israel has not signaled any intention of halting its operations, which have also included ongoing strikes in Gaza as part of a broader campaign against Iranian-backed militant groups.
If the interpretation of being destroyed is the same as with Hamas, then we are going to go for a long war.
Josep Borrell
The outgoing EU foreign affairs chief again called for diversifying diplomacy from the US, which has tried for months unsuccessfully to seal a cease-fire in Gaza that would include the release of hostages.
“We cannot rely just on the US,” Borrell said. “The U.S. tried several times – they didn’t succeed.”
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