French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "refrain from a ground offensive" in Lebanon. Macron stated he stressed the importance of preserving Lebanon’s territorial integrity in a recent conversation. This marks Macron's first discussion with Netanyahu since France recognized a Palestinian state last year.
Macron also conferred with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He advocated for a return to the ceasefire agreement and encouraged them to press Hezbollah to cease attacks on Israel. France pledges to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in asserting sovereignty and countering the Hezbollah threat. Macron also announced steps to aid displaced communities in Lebanon.
Over 83,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since exchanges of fire renewed this weekend. The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for southern Lebanese villages, with airstrikes intensifying and Hezbollah claiming further attacks. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah attacked Israel following the death of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a separate address, Macron condemned US-Israeli strikes against Iran as "carried out outside international law," while attributing primary responsibility to the Islamic Republic. France will deploy additional defensive air capabilities to allied countries in the Middle East, including Cyprus. The aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle is also being sent to the Mediterranean to address the impact of the conflict on international trade.