The British Foreign Office has issued a formal condemnation of Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon, following the collapse of a United Nations-brokered ceasefire. In a statement released from Whitehall, the Foreign Office described the strikes as a disproportionate response to rocket fire from Hezbollah militants, and called for an immediate return to de-escalation.
The ceasefire, which had been in place for 48 hours, unravelled early this morning when a series of explosions were reported in the border region. Israeli officials said the strikes were in retaliation for a barrage of rockets that hit northern Israel, killing one civilian and wounding several others. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack, but Israeli intelligence assessed the group was behind it.
The latest violence marks the most serious breach of the ceasefire since it was agreed on Tuesday, under the auspices of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Foreign Office expressed regret that the cessation of hostilities had been so short-lived, and urged both sides to exercise restraint. A spokesperson said: "We condemn the Israeli strikes on Lebanese soil. This cycle of violence must end. The UK stands with the people of Lebanon and Israel who seek peace and security."
The statement is likely to strain relations between London and Jerusalem. The UK has historically maintained a policy of supporting Israel's right to self-defence, while also advocating for Palestinian statehood. However, the collapse of the ceasefire has sharpened criticism of Israeli tactics in some quarters. Labour MPs have called for a review of arms sales to Israel, while the Liberal Democrats have demanded a full inquiry into the strikes.
The United States, the European Union and the Arab League have also issued statements calling for restraint. The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session this afternoon. Diplomats say the priority is to restore the ceasefire, which was intended to allow humanitarian access to southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
On the ground, the situation remains tense. Lebanese emergency services reported that the Israeli strikes hit a residential area in the town of Kfar Kila, killing three people and wounding 12. Hospitals in the area have been placed on high alert. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah observation posts and rocket launchers, and that it had taken precautions to minimise civilian casualties.
The collapse of the ceasefire underscores the fragility of diplomatic efforts in a region where proxies and state actors are engaged in a complex web of alliances. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has a strong presence in southern Lebanon and has fought several wars with Israel. The group's involvement in the current escalation has raised fears of a wider conflict.
The UK's condemnation of Israeli strikes is a significant diplomatic move, but its immediate impact is uncertain. Israel has so far offered no public response to the statement. In the meantime, the international community awaits the outcome of the Security Council meeting, which could determine whether the ceasefire can be revived or whether the region will once again descend into full-scale conflict.
