Germany urges Israel to limit military actions in Lebanon to 'necessary self-defense'

Germany on Wednesday called on Israel to limit its military campaign in Lebanon to what is necessary for self-defense and to act in line with international law.

Ministry spokesman Martin Giese said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul conveyed the message in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar.

"In his conversation with the Israeli foreign minister, the foreign minister advocated that Israel should limit itself to the necessary self-defense against Hezbollah and not to go beyond that,” he said.

Giese reiterated that Berlin expects Israel to exercise its right to self-defense in accordance with international law.

Israel launched a major offensive in southern Lebanon last month following renewed rocket attacks by Hezbollah.

Lebanese authorities report that at least 1,530 people have been killed and 4,812 wounded in Israeli strikes, with more than 1 million others displaced.

The fighting has raised fears of a possible new Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.

Despite Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing Wednesday that the US, Iran and their allies had agreed to a two-week ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later denied the claim.

The two-week ceasefire “does not include Lebanon,” he said.

The Lebanese Army warned citizens against returning to the south amid ceasefire reports "since they may be exposing themselves to ongoing Israeli attacks."