The European Union’s (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs stated on Saturday that a ceasefire is the top priority in the Middle East and that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces could improve the prospects of achieving it.
“After Sinwar’s killing, a new perspective has opened, and we must seize this opportunity to reach a truce, secure the release of the remaining (Israeli) hostages, and pursue a political solution,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, to reporters during the G7 defense ministers’ meeting in Naples.
He also mentioned that the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission could be strengthened, as it has faced criticism amid clashes between Israel and its Lebanese adversary Hezbollah.
“UN forces must be respected worldwide, and perhaps the UNIFIL mission needs to be reassessed, but the first step must be achieving a ceasefire,” Borrell said, adding that the UN Security Council will make decisions regarding UNIFIL.
