Germany urges Israel to abandon Lebanon ground offensive plans

Germany on Monday urged Israel to abandon plans for a major ground offensive in Lebanon, warning that such an operation would trigger a severe humanitarian and refugee crisis, Anadolu reports.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman told reporters in Berlin that Germany is “deeply concerned” by the latest developments and supports efforts to restart talks between Israel and Lebanon.

“The situation in this part of the war zone fills us with concern, as we see preparations for a major Israeli ground offensive,” Stefan Kornelius said. He warned that such an offensive would dramatically escalate the region’s already dire humanitarian conditions.

“We urge our Israeli friends not to take this course,” Kornelius said. “We also call on Israel not to attack civilian targets or the United Nations’ UNIFIL mission.”

Kornelius also condemned Hezbollah’s decision to rejoin the fighting against Israel on Iran’s side, calling on the group to immediately cease its attacks and lay down its arms.

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