UK, France warn Israel strikes risk destabilizing ceasefire

Key Points:

• British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Israel's strikes on Lebanon as "deeply damaging" and urged for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire to prevent regional destabilization, emphasizing the importance of ending hostilities.
• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also condemned Israel's airstrikes, calling for Iran to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions and stop supporting proxy groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis, while stressing the need for open traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares accused Israel of violating international law with its airstrikes on Lebanon and announced the reopening of Spain's embassy in Tehran to support peace efforts in the region.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted the critical importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz for Italy and the EU, while cautioning against economic disruptions and calling for security cooperation with the UK-led coalition.
• EU officials, including Kaja Kallas, acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense but criticized the scale of destruction caused by Israeli strikes, underscoring the need for restraint to avoid further escalation in the conflict.