Tensions in the Middle East have a long history of sudden and far-reaching escalation. Regional power struggles, unresolved territorial disputes, and the presence of militant groups often combine to create flashpoints where a single strike or political decision can trigger broader conflict.
In this environment, even limited military actions carry high stakes, especially when international actors and alliances are involved.
EU’s Growing Concern Over Israel’s Military Campaigns
During a visit to Jerusalem on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Israel’s airstrikes on targets in Syria and Lebanon could set off a new wave of escalation in the region.
Standing alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Kallas stressed the importance of proportionality in military operations and called for restraint in cross-border engagements.
“Military actions must be proportionate,” Kallas said. “Israeli strikes on Syria and Lebanon risk provoking a new escalation.” She also questioned the strategic necessity of such attacks, noting that Syria had not actively targeted Israel at the time of the strikes.
Tensions on the Border and Political Fallout
Kallas emphasized that such military actions risk fueling radicalization, especially when they appear preemptive or unprovoked. She noted that continued aggression could undermine regional stability and deepen hostility toward Israel.
Her visit will also include talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
Following the ousting of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad late last year, Israel has carried out dozens of airstrikes on Syrian military sites. Israel claims these efforts are intended to prevent arms from falling into the hands of new ruling factions it labels as extremist.
In parallel, the Israeli military continues to carry out operations in Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah that has been in place since November.
According to Israeli officials, their strikes aim to neutralize military infrastructure belonging to Iran-backed groups. However, critics argue the pattern of strikes risks normalizing instability in an already volatile theater.
As reported by Digi24, Kallas’s remarks underscore growing European unease about how Israel’s military strategy may reverberate beyond its borders—particularly in a region still recovering from multiple simultaneous conflicts.
