Mediterranean Leaders Advocate for Peace in Gaza and Lebanon

At a pivotal summit in Cyprus, leaders from nine Mediterranean countries called for an immediate ceasefire in both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The meeting, known as the Med9 summit, was hosted by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The leaders urged all parties involved to halt hostilities and resume dialogue for a just and lasting solution in the region. The summit was attended by prominent European Union countries like France, Italy, and Spain, who expressed their outrage over recent incidents involving Israeli forces injuring UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the attacks on the UN peacekeeping force, Unifil, labeling them as unjustifiable. They demanded an immediate cessation of these hostilities. Reports indicated that two Unifil soldiers were injured on Friday due to explosions near a watchtower, with the Israeli army claiming it was responding to an immediate threat.

The summit also tackled broader issues influenced by the escalating Middle East conflict, such as potential new waves of migration. European leaders highlighted Cyprus's role in energy and migration discussions, alongside support for Ukraine and cooperation with Turkey and other migrant transit countries.

Macron further advocated for halting arms exports that might fuel conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza. He stressed that this move is not aimed at disarming Israel but rather stopping the flow of weapons that exacerbate tensions with Hamas and Hezbollah. This stance follows Spain's recent decision to cease arms sales to Israel and reflects a growing international concern over the escalation in violence. The summit underscored a collective determination among Mediterranean countries to seek peace and stability in the volatile region.