Malta’s Foreign Minister Condemns Violence Amid Unprecedented Escalation in Lebanon
Foreign Minister Ian Borg has condemned the escalating violence along the Lebanon-Israel border and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire across all active fronts. In his comments to Lovin Malta on Friday, Borg emphasised the need for restraint from all sides and underscored Malta’s unwavering stance on reducing civilian suffering. The minister’s statements came just as Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign in Beirut and southern Lebanon, marking yet another significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Borg expressed deep concern over the situation in Lebanon, noting that the continuation of hostilities not only threatened civilian lives but also had the potential to destabilise the entire region. Asked whether he agreed with Israel’s decision to extend the war by opening a new front on the Lebanese border, Borg insisted that “Malta’s calls for a ceasefire have been unequivocal and not only limited to Gaza but also the ongoing Israeli operation in Lebanon”.
Since the start of the escalation in Lebanon, there have been several calls for restraint, most notably from the United States and France. Israel has so far ignored calls for a ceasefire, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling the United Nations General Assembly on Friday that his country was winning the war. His remarks came as Israel commenced its most intense bombing of Beirut in over 20 years during which it claims to have killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
It’s important to note that Lovin Malta was in communication with Borg over the course of the week and these responses came before the news of Nasrallah’s alleged death.
Security Council resolutions must be implemented
In addition to calling for a ceasefire, Borg reiterated Malta’s insistence on the full implementation of UN Security Council 1701, which was adopted in 2006 and mandates the disarmament of the armed group Hezbollah among other things.
The resolution is one of many to have been adopted by the UN Security Council over the years, some dating back decades. These include resolutions such as Resolution 242 which calls for Israel to withdraw from territories occupied during 1967’s Six-Day War. Its implementation today would require Israel to relinquish control over the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, in addition to the Golan Heights in Syria and the area known as the Shebaa Farms in Lebanon.
Asked whether Malta also insisted on the full implementation of these resolutions Borg pointed to Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which considers resolutions binding.
“This is Malta’s principled position, and it has not shied away from calling on Israel, and all parties to the conflict, to ensure their full implementation,” he added.
Pager attacks endangered civilians and destabilised the region
Borg also called out a recent attack involving thousands of hidden explosives in pagers used by members of Hezbollah. The explosives were triggered indiscriminately on 17th September, injuring thousands of the group’s members as well as several civilians.
Though Israel is widely suspected of orchestrating the attacks, it has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement, maintaining its standard policy of silence on operations beyond its borders. The strikes occurred just before Israel launched a broader bombing campaign across southern Lebanon and Beirut.
Borg stated that investigations into the source of the attacks were still ongoing and that it would be premature to draw definitive conclusions. However, he was clear in his condemnation: “At this stage, Malta can only condemn these attacks, which endangered the security and stability of Lebanon, put civilian lives at risk, and heightened the potential for a wider escalation in the region.”
Concerns about human rights violations communicated to Israel
Shifting to the broader context of the ongoing military campaign, Borg walked a careful line. He acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defence but was critical of the conflict’s humanitarian toll.
“The right to self-defence exists for everyone, including Israel,” Borg said, adding however that the manner in which the conflict was being conducted “is certainly not the way to ensure security”.
Pressed on what specific concerns Malta had and whether these had been communicated to Israel, Borg pointed to clear breaches of international humanitarian law as outlined in the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion in the genocide case brought against Israel by South Africa.
Borg quoted the opinion which states that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) is unlawful” as well as highlights Israel’s “obligation to end its unlawful presence [and] cease immediately all new settlement activities”.
“Other activities such as cutting food, water and electricity to a mass of civilian people, are also against international law and have indeed also been noted by the UN,” the minister added.
Malta echoes US position on Palestinian recognition
On the contentious issue of Palestinian statehood, Borg said that long-term peace and security could only result from peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine, which ultimately includes the recognition of the State of Palestine. However, he stopped short of committing to recognition, instead echoing statements by US officials and emphasising that recognition of Palestine would “not solve the security situation in the region”, adding that “Israel’s active participation and security concerns also remain vital as a key regional actor”.
He said that through its position as the elected member of the UN Security Council, Malta had continued to advance “diplomatic efforts aimed at facilitating constructive engagement on peace and security in the region”.
Discussions on the appropriate time for Malta to recognise Palestine were still ongoing, the minister said.
Featured image on the left: @sahouraxo on X.
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