President General Joseph Aoun informed European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib during a meeting at the Baabda Palace before noon today, along with the accompanying delegation, that the support provided by European Union countries to Lebanon must be channeled into pressure to compel Israel to halt its ceasefire and refrain from blowing up and bulldozing houses in the villages it occupies in the south, as well as from targeting paramedics, journalists, and civil defense personnel. He emphasized that Lebanon is committed to a ceasefire and a halt to all military operations to launch negotiations that end the turbulent situation currently prevailing in the south, in preparation for redeploying the Lebanese Army up to the international border, releasing Lebanese prisoners, and returning displaced persons to their towns and villages, stressing that the ceasefire must be complete and comprehensive. President Aoun drew the attention of the European Commissioner to the heavy human losses resulting from Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the rise in the number of displaced persons to about one million, not to mention the severe material damage inflicted on homes, properties, and crops. He considered that the need for aid for the displaced is increasing day by day, which has prompted Lebanon to appeal to brotherly and friendly countries to provide urgent humanitarian and development assistance, while thanking the European Union for its continuous responsiveness to Lebanon's needs and its countries' keenness on full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, affirming that the government is working to achieve this goal. President Aoun reassured the European Commissioner of the solidarity of the Lebanese regarding current challenges, their attachment to their unity, and their collective confrontation of any attempt to sow discord among them. Hadja Lahbib affirmed the European Union's standing by Lebanon and its continued provision of assistance to relieve the displaced, as well as its full political support for the option of negotiations and the exclusivity of arms. Statement After the meeting, Ms. Lahbib made the following statement: "I would like to begin my remarks by thanking President Joseph Aoun for his warm welcome and the quality of our discussions. I came to Beirut, first and foremost, to express my solidarity, and through me, the solidarity of the European Union with Lebanon." She added: "To the Lebanese people, I simply say: Europe stood with you yesterday, it stands with you today, and it will stand with you tomorrow, in times of joy as in times of sorrow. We know how dark the current times are. We are witnessing Lebanon's suffering; bombs are still falling due to a war you did not choose, innocent civilians are dying, towns and neighborhoods are being destroyed, and lives are being snuffed out." "The relationship forged between the European Union and Lebanon over decades has been further strengthened by this new challenge, in order to support Lebanon and help it rise again, as it has always done, with courage and dignity." She said: "Since 2011, the European Union has mobilized more than 3.5 billion euros for Lebanon, including more than 1 billion euros in humanitarian aid. Since the first airstrikes and population displacement in the month of March, we have urgently mobilized 100 million euros in humanitarian assistance to help thousands of people forced to flee within their homeland." "We have thus strengthened the efforts of our partners who work daily on the ground in extremely difficult conditions to provide food, shelter, care, and protection. At present, more than three million people, which is more than half of Lebanon's population, depend on humanitarian aid to survive. I will visit our partners working on the ground." She continued: "In addition, we will further support this effort. Six humanitarian flights have delivered hundreds of tons of essential supplies to Beirut, and a seventh plane will arrive tomorrow, which I will welcome at the airport tarmac. But let us be clear: humanitarian aid, no matter how necessary, cannot be a solution on its own." "The ceasefire extended last month has opened a window of hope, but a fragile one. Violations continue, as happened two days ago. International humanitarian law is being violated on a daily basis." She added: "We are aware of the efforts currently being made by the Lebanese government to prevent escalation. However, the country remains caught between Israel and Hezbollah, at the heart of a crisis beyond its control. Therefore, to end this crisis, certain conditions must be met: Lebanon's territorial integrity must be fully respected, Hezbollah must halt its attacks and be disarmed, and Israel must stop its bombardment, which has repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, bridges, hospitals, and schools." "This war has claimed a staggering toll: more than 2,500 people have lost their lives, including nearly 200 children; more than 8,000 have been injured; and over a million have been displaced. These human losses, and these lives cut short in their prime, must be at the heart of the negotiations that must continue." She concluded: "For the ceasefire to lead to peace, there must be the political courage to address the root causes of the conflicts that are currently plunging the Middle East into fire and blood. The stability of Lebanon, the security of Israel, and the security of the entire region—a region closely tied to Europe—are at stake. The European Union is your partner, a reliable and committed friend, and it will remain so." "Allow me to end by echoing the words of Fairouz: 'To Beirut, from my heart, peace to Beirut.' From my heart, and from the heart of Europe, to you, to the Lebanese people."