The German government fears that if the conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah spreads across the Middle East, the resulting devastation will be “catastrophic”.
“The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah must not become a regional flashpoint,” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin on Saturday.
“This would have terrible and long-lasting consequences for people across the region. The devastation from such a confrontation would be catastrophic.”
In recent days, innocent civilians have been injured and killed, and people in Israel’s northern neighbor are living in fear and terror, even though “large parts of the population” have nothing to do with the conflict, he added.
“A diplomatic solution to the conflict must be possible,” the spokesman stressed. The Shiite Hezbollah militia must withdraw from the border area with Israel so that people in northern Israel can return to their hometowns, he said.
The latest Israeli attack on Saturday killed 37 people and wounded at least 68 in a Beirut suburb. Hezbollah said 15 of its members were killed. The death toll from the explosions of pagers and other devices on Tuesday and Wednesday stands at 39. Israel is blamed for the attacks but has not claimed responsibility.
