The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is at risk of "spilling over" into Lebanon, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned on Monday.
Borrell said the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border - where Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia have been trading fire on a daily basis - is getting worse.
Israel is putting military and diplomatic pressure on Hezbollah with the aim of having members retreat behind the Litani River, 30 kilometres from the border - as stipulated in a UN resolution on the 2006 conflict.
However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that a larger military operation may be pursued if necessary.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said a "further escalation would be a catastrophe for all people" in the Middle East.
Baerbock spoke at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. She repeated her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza in line with proposals set out by US President Joe Biden.
Borell said that both Hamas and Israel are not showing the political will to back the Biden ceasefire plan. He also said that more vital aid needed to get into the strip.
Recent threats by Hezbollah movement to the EU island of Cyprus over cooperation with Israel are also being discussed.
