Germany views the latest escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon "with great concern," Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday.
Merz called on Hezbollah to "immediately stop attacking the people of Israel, and to lay down its arms," while demanding that Israel adhere to the ceasefire agreed in April.
"We encourage Israel and Lebanon to continue along the path of direct talks they have chosen," said Merz, referring to talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials launched earlier this year, the first in decades between the two countries which are officially at war.
Iran-backed Hezbollah is not part of the talks.
The ongoing fighting between Israel and the Iranian proxy is a major sticking point in negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end the war on Iran.
Besides the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and control over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran has demanded a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon as part of any agreement.
US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a halt to the mutual attacks between Israel and Hezbollah. The president, posting on social media, said there would be no Israeli troops "going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back."
While Israel’s military had advanced further into the Lebanese interior in recent weeks than it had in over 25 years, its troops remain far removed from the capital.
However, mutual attacks between Israel and Hezbollah continued overnight and on Tuesday, despite Trump's announcement.
