BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) issued a statement on Saturday condemning Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and urged Israel to respect a ceasefire with the militant group Hezbollah.

According to the EU's foreign affairs spokesman, Anouar El Anouni, Israel's attacks on Thursday targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah and accused them of rearming.

The EU demanded that Israel cease all actions violating UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.

At the same time, the EU called upon Lebanese actors, particularly Hezbollah, to refrain from any measures or responses that could escalate the situation further.

The Israeli army had previously instructed residents of four villages to evacuate buildings due to planned strikes targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure.

The Lebanese army accused Israel of attempting to undermine Lebanon’s stability and prevent the full deployment of the Lebanese armed forces as per the ceasefire agreement.

Both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Iran condemned the Israeli strikes, with Iran describing them as 'savage' attacks on Friday and urging international intervention.

Although technically at war, all recent conflicts with Israel have been fought by Hezbollah rather than the Lebanese military.

Hezbollah remains one of the few movements in Lebanon that refuses to disarm after the 1975-1990 civil war, citing a duty to liberate territory occupied by Israel and defend the country.

The group is supported by Iran, which also engaged in its own conflict with Israel earlier this year.