NNA - The European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell called on Saturday for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, Reuters reported.

Borrell said the death of Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar was an opportunity to stop the fighting. During a meeting of G7 defense ministers that began on Saturday in Italy, he urged respect for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which Israel targeted days ago.

He told reporters that the morning session focused mainly on the situation in the Middle East, noting that UNIFIL's mission could be reviewed but that it was up to the UN Security Council to decide on its future.

"Some of the members participating in this meeting (the G7) are also important members of the Security Council," he said.

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