PARIS, France: French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent a “conflagration” with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In a telephone call on Tuesday, Macron expressed serious concern over rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel and emphasized the need to avoid actions that could harm both Lebanon and Israel. He stressed the urgency for all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel from Gaza.
The French presidency’s statement highlighted that the two leaders discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts. This comes ahead of the visit of US envoy Amos Hochstein to Paris on Wednesday, where he will meet with Macron’s Lebanon envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian. Hochstein’s visit follows his June trips to Israel and Lebanon aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Macron also advised Netanyahu against launching new operations in Gaza, particularly near Rafah or Khan Yunis, warning that such actions would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. The Israeli army had recently ordered evacuations in these areas, which typically precede major military offensives. This order led to a mass exodus of Palestinians from southern Gaza as Israeli forces conducted deadly strikes and engaged in clashes with militants.
The conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 hostages, with 116 still in Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed nearly 38000 people, also mostly women and children.
In addition to discussing the Gaza conflict, Macron and Netanyahu talked about recent developments in Iran’s nuclear program, particularly reports of new centrifuges for uranium enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in June that Iran has significantly expanded its nuclear capabilities, raising concerns about potential nuclear weapons development. Macron reiterated France’s commitment, along with its partners, to pressuring Iran to comply with international obligations and cooperate fully with the IAEA.
