Germany’s foreign minister stated on Wednesday that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, but the provision of weapons has created “a dilemma” due to concerns regarding potential violations of international law. Annalena Baerbock made these remarks upon her arrival in Lebanon, where she is engaged in discussions aimed at reducing the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. This visit follows a report from the U.N. indicating that its peacekeepers had been targeted by Israeli forces in the conflict zone of southern Lebanon.

Baerbock acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting, “On one hand, Israel faces daily attacks, and failing to support it would leave people unprotected. On the other hand, Germany has a duty to uphold international humanitarian law.” She did not suggest that Germany would alter its longstanding policy of supplying arms to Israel. Last week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed that Germany, a key ally of Israel in the West, would persist in providing military assistance.

Baerbock emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hezbollah, the powerful militant group backed by Iran, while also bearing the responsibility to comply with international humanitarian law. She made these remarks to journalists in Beirut following her meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah who is involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.

The U.N. mission in Lebanon reported last week that its outposts near the Israeli border had been subjected to multiple “deliberate” attacks by Israel, complicating efforts to assist civilians in the war-affected villages due to ongoing Israeli shelling.

“Any intentional assault on U.N. peacekeepers constitutes a violation of humanitarian law,” Baerbock stated. Israel contends that U.N. forces in southern Lebanon have inadvertently served as a protective barrier for Hezbollah fighters and has requested UNIFIL to evacuate peacekeepers for their safety, a request that has been declined.

Baerbock asserted that the path to peace lies in the complete implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701, established 18 years ago, which calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal behind the Litani River in Lebanon and the retreat of Israeli forces from the “Blue Line” that marks the border.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) plays a vital role in ensuring stability in the region, and it is imperative that all parties involved safeguard the UNIFIL personnel, she emphasized. Baerbock was scheduled to hold a video conference with UNIFIL Commanding General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz later in the day. “Our unified message to the people of Lebanon is that we will not turn a blind eye, nor will we abandon them,” Baerbock stated.

“We are pursuing a diplomatic resolution that honors the security concerns of both Israel and Lebanon,” she continued. According to Germany’s DPA news agency, Berlin has authorized arms exports to Israel totaling approximately 31 million euros ($34 million) in the last eight weeks, which is more than double the amount exported in the first seven and a half months of this year.