- Belgium supports France's mediation efforts to bring about cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah, Israel and to restore Lebanon's full sovereignty

BRUSSELS

Belgium has warned that any large-scale military operation on Lebanese territory would be a "dramatic mistake," stressing the importance of protecting Lebanon's "fragile" stability.

In an exclusive statement to Anadolu, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said: "Belgium's position is clear: Lebanon must not be dragged into a war that is not its own."

Prevot highlighted recent developments in Lebanon, including the election of President Joseph Aoun and the appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as a government-approved disarmament plan.

He added that parliamentary elections are approaching, and the country is moving in a "positive direction."

"Any large-scale military operation on Lebanese territory risks sweeping all of this away. Belgium says it clearly: that would be a dramatic mistake," Prevot stressed.

"We call on Israel to refrain from operations that undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and endanger civilians," he added, and also urged Hezbollah to stop firing towards Israel and avoid dragging Lebanon into the conflict.

Belgium expressed support for France's mediation efforts aimed at halting hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and restoring Lebanon's full sovereignty, noting that these diplomatic efforts deserve "the active backing of the entire international community."

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron offered to host talks in Paris between Israel and Lebanon amid escalating tensions along the border following a phone call with key Lebanese leaders, including Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Lebanon’s leadership has indicated it is willing to hold direct talks with Israel, Macron said, urging Israel to take part in negotiations and work toward ending the fighting.

"We fully support the Lebanese government and the Lebanese people in their aspiration to sovereignty, peace, and a state that exercises the sole monopoly on arms. That is the only path to lasting security, for Lebanon, for the region, and for every civilian caught in the crossfire," he said.

Belgium continues to work with the UN and European partners to strengthen humanitarian responses, Prevot said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed early Monday that the army has begun a ground offensive in Lebanon.

On Sunday, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that the military had asked the government to approve the mobilization of 450,000 reservists in preparation for the Lebanon offensive.

The Israeli army expanded airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, on March 2 following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah amid regional escalation in the wake of a joint offensive by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran.

Lebanese health authorities said that the Israeli attacks have killed at least 886 people, including women and children, wounded 2,141 others and displaced more than 830,000 people.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some of them for decades and others seized during the most recent war between October 2023 and November 2024.