Belgium calls escalating tensions between Israel, Lebanon 'extremely worrying'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Belgium’s foreign minister on Monday expressed concern over escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon, urging de-escalation and diplomatic solutions.

"The intensification of the conflict on the border between Lebanon and Israel is extremely worrying. Civilians, including women and children, are once again being affected," Hadja Lahbib wrote on X.

Lebanese health authorities said 492 people, including 35 children, have been killed and over 1,600 others injured in Israeli attacks since Monday morning, with thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes.

"De-escalation is urgently needed. The only way out of this conflict is through diplomacy," added Lahbib.

Tension has mounted between Hezbollah and Israel following a deadly airstrike on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including women and children, and injured over dozens in a suburb of Beirut.

Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in the Israeli airstrike.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed over 41,400 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7.