EU foreign policy chief Kallas: Israel Lebanon operations 'heavy-handed' — calls for cease-ops

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a statement calling on Israel to cease its military operations in Lebanon. 'Hezbollah's decision to attack Israel in support of Iran endangers the entire region and adds a deadly dimension. Israel has the right to self-defense in line with international law,' Kallas said. 'At the same time, Israel's response has been heavy-handed. Its retaliation is causing mass displacement and is further destabilizing a fragile situation.' She added that 'Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected' and that 'diplomacy offers the best chance of preventing Lebanon from sliding into chaos.' The statement represents the EU's first formal public criticism of Israel's Lebanon campaign. While affirming the right to self-defense, the 'heavy-handed' characterization and explicit call to cease operations marks a significant diplomatic rift between the EU and Israel on Day 10. The EU call comes hours after Syrian president al-Sharaa backed disarming Hezbollah — presenting a complex picture where Europe wants Israel to stop but Arab neighbors want Hezbollah disarmed.