Two months after the agreement on the release of hostages and on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the end of the ceasefire in Gaza as a result of severe Israeli attacks has crushed the hope for what so many Israelis and Palestinians felt was within reach: that the suffering on all sides could finally come to an end. The lives of dozens of remaining hostages, including Germans, their anxious relatives’ entire universe, the lives of many thousands of people in Gaza depend on it.

The resumption of the fighting also jeopardises the positive efforts of the Arab states, which want to jointly pursue a peaceful path for Gaza, liberated from Hamas.

Now, all sides are called upon to exercise the greatest restraint, to comply with international humanitarian law, to return to the talks on finding a lasting solution to the conflict.

This is also absolutely crucial if the chance for a peaceful future for an entire region is not to be left hanging by a thread once again. For the risk of further regional escalation is serious – and this at a time when the situation in Lebanon has recently stabilised and there have been positive first steps towards settling the conflict surrounding the border between Lebanon and Israel.

Here, a long-term, sustainable solution is still required, which could be achieved through the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and which respects both Israeli security interests and Lebanon’s territorial integrity. This is the only way that displaced persons on both sides of the border will finally be able to return to their homes and live in peace.

In Lebanon, I will speak with President Joseph Aoun, whose election following many years of crisis and standstill has now opened the door for urgently needed reforms, and with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose new government has set out an ambitious programme for the future of his country.

Germany will support the people in Lebanon on their path towards a better future – not least through our backing of the UNIFIL Mission and the Lebanese army as well as with 300 million euro that we pledged at the Brussels conference on Syria on Monday and which will also benefit Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon.