European capitals scramble to avoid Middle East escalation

European leaders are urgently working to prevent a regional conflict in the Middle East following a recent rocket attack that killed 12 children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have been actively engaging with officials in Lebanon, Israel, and Iran to promote restraint and de-escalation, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The attack, which occurred in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, has heightened tensions, with Israel, the US, and Germany attributing it to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. Hezbollah has denied involvement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a severe response, stating that Israel will not ignore the attack.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged Israel to avoid retaliatory actions, expressing deep concern over the situation and suggesting that China might use its connections with Iran and Saudi Arabia to help de-escalate the crisis.

The UK has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the escalating conflict, with Germany and other European nations issuing similar warnings. Major airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and Aegean Airlines, have canceled flights to Beirut.

European diplomats are making intense efforts behind the scenes to influence regional actors. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached out to Lebanese and Iranian leaders, respectively, calling for de-escalation. Macron has specifically urged Iran to stop supporting destabilizing actors and to promote restraint.

Italy is focused on protecting its troops stationed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and has requested enhanced UN protections. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and EU diplomat Josep Borrell have also been involved in discussions, with Borrell advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and seeking ways to prevent a broader conflict.

A Lebanese official reported that while Hezbollah does not seek a full-scale war with Israel, the group is preparing for potential conflict by mobilizing precision-guided missiles.