EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. AP
"The European Union is extremely concerned about an escalation in Lebanon after the attacks Friday in Beirut," Borrell said in a statement, calling for a "ceasefire" along the demarcation line separating them, "as well as in Gaza".
He was referring to an Israeli strike Friday on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital that killed at least 45 peoples, many of them civilians.
Borrell will be attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week alongside many global leaders.
"Civilians on both sides are paying a high price," he added.
"They will also be the ones suffering once against the most in a full-blown war that must be averted, including by renewed intense diplomatic mediation efforts," said Borrell.
The Israeli army said missiles were fired at its territory during the night and early Sunday morning, mostly from Lebanon, with Hezbollah asserting that the strikes were retaliation for "repeated Israeli attacks that targeted various Lebanese regions and resulted in the deaths of many civilians."
Israel announced fresh strikes on southern Lebanon.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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