The further advance by the Israeli army into southern Lebanon gives cause for serious concern. At the same time, this is a reaction to continued attacks by Hezbollah on the north of Israel that must finally stop. All parties to the conflict have been urgently called upon to cease all hostilities and return to the ceasefire that has been agreed upon. Any further escalation will exacerbate the already tense situation and trigger new waves of displacement within Lebanon.

Of course Israel has legitimate security interests. Yet when it is civilians that pay the price of a military escalation and when parts of Lebanon become permanently uninhabitable, this will not make Israel’s environment any more secure in the long term. In taking action against Hezbollah, Israel must protect civilians as well as civilian infrastructure. The key to stabilising Lebanon is strengthening the Lebanese state. This includes decisive action by the Lebanese Government against Hezbollah, and Lebanon exercising its sole right to the use of force on its entire territory.

In a historic step, the Governments of Lebanon and of Israel have met in Washington for direct talks. A further round of these talks is planned for the upcoming week. This is the correct channel through which to achieve success. There must be a sustainable diplomatic solution with a view to protecting civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, and there must be lasting peace. Hezbollah must not further undermine this peace process.