Foreign ministers from 10 European countries, including Greece, Britain, France and Italy, on Tuesday (March 31) urged Israel to refrain from expanding its military operations into Lebanon and to respect its neighbor’s territorial integrity.

In a joint statement, also signed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the countries expressed their “full support for the government and people of Lebanon,” who once again “have suffered the dramatic consequences of a war that is not their own.”

they voiced support for decisions taken by the Lebanese government, stressing that protecting the country from foreign interference can only be achieved by strengthening the state, its institutions and its sovereignty.

The ministers called on Israel and Lebanon to begin negotiations, immediately de-escalate tensions and return to a ceasefire agreement. They warned that continued violence poses serious risks to broader regional stability.

They also expressed deep concern over the forced displacement of more than one million people in Lebanon, urging Israel to avoid any further expansion of the conflict, including a possible ground operation on Lebanese territory.

“We are determined to continue supporting the Lebanese government,” the joint statement by the European foreign ministers and the EU High Representative concluded.