Italy, Spain, China join chorus of condemnations against Lebanon strikes, say they were truce violation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says that Israel “disrespected” the two-week ceasefire with Iran by attacking Lebanon yesterday.

She says restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a vital interest for her country and the whole of the European Union.

“We have come within a step of the point of no return, but we now face a fragile prospect of peace that must be pursued with determination,” Meloni tells parliament, adding that Italy condemns any violation of the ceasefire and is calling for a permanent halt to hostilities.

Also, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares accuses Israel of violating international law and the ceasefire.

Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal critics among Western nations of US and Israeli actions in Iran and Lebanon, closing its airspace to any aircraft involved in a conflict Madrid has called reckless and illegal.

“Yesterday we saw how Israel, flouting the ceasefire and in violation of international law, dropped hundreds of bombs on Lebanon,” Albares tells lawmakers in the lower house.

Earlier today, Albares announced that Spain would reopen its embassy in Tehran in hopes of achieving peace in the region.

“I’ve instructed our ambassador in Tehran to return, to take up his post again and reopen our embassy, and for us to join in this effort for peace from every possible quarter, including from the Iranian capital itself,” Albares told reporters.

Meanwhile, Beijing says that Lebanon’s sovereignty “should not be violated” after Israel said it had carried out strikes against Hezbollah military infrastructure.

“Lebanon’s sovereignty and security should not be violated. The safety of civilian lives and property must be guaranteed,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning tells a regular press conference, adding Beijing urged restraint and “a cooling down of the regional situation.”