She is referring to the escalation that has been going on between Israel and the Lebanese Islamist movement Hezbollah since October 7 last year, when Palestinian Hamas attacked Israel and Hezbollah attacked the country with rockets the next day.
"The escalation has resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries on different sides. Together with the rest of the EU, Sweden is calling for de-escalation and giving full support to the diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire", writes Malmer Stenergard.
She and the union's other foreign ministers held an extraordinary meeting on Monday evening. EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell convened them due to Israel's extensive attacks on Beirut and large parts of Lebanon. Afterwards, he issued a new demand for an immediate ceasefire and for the parties to return to previously agreed conflict lines.
Further military interventions "would dramatically worsen the situation and must be avoided", announced the Spaniard Borrell after the council of ministers discussed the matter.
A few hours later, Israel launched a ground invasion of Lebanon.
