German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned of a further escalation in the Middle East after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
“Iran risks setting the entire region on fire: this must be avoided at all costs,” the German leader said in a statement published on Wednesday.
Scholz noted that it was only thanks to Israeli air defenses and allies that Tuesday evening’s Iranian attack was largely repulsed.
Scholz called on the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Tehran to immediately cease their attacks on Israel.
The German government would continue to work with its partners to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Scholz said.
A cessation of fighting should be the first step in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which requires Hezbollah to withdraw from the border area with Israel, Scholz said.
“This would pave the way for the return of people to northern Israel and at the same time open the prospect of consolidating Lebanon’s state.”
