Emmanuel Macron calls on Israel to stop “escalation” in Lebanon, considering that the Hebrew State cannot “expand its operations without consequences”. While stressing that “Hezbollah has been taking the unbearable risk of plunging Lebanon into war for too long”:
“There must not, there cannot be, a war in Lebanon. That is why we strongly call on Israel to stop the escalation in Lebanon and on Hezbollah to stop firing at Israel. We strongly call on all those who provide them with the means to stop doing so.”
For Emmanuel Macron, the escalation in the Middle East is, “immediately”, “the main risk” to global stability.
On the sidelines of the general assembly, he discussed the issue with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as with his Iranian and American counterparts. Joe Biden today believes that “all-out war is possible” in the region.
A proposal for a temporary ceasefire
In partnership with Washington, Paris proposed a temporary cessation of hostilities for 21 days during an emergency meeting of the Security Council. This call for a truce, supported by the European Union and several Arab countries, should allow negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah.
The announcement was made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who believes that Lebanon “would not recover from a war.”
The French Foreign Minister will travel to Beirut tomorrow.
“Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon,” warns the UN Secretary-General. For Antonio Guterres, “Lebanon is on the brink of the abyss (…) The world cannot allow Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
The Lebanese Prime Minister, who was present at this Security Council meeting, called on the international community to “act seriously and immediately to put an end to the violations.”
Fear of escalation heightened
Tensions have reached their highest point since the Israeli army said it was considering “the possibility” of troops “entering” Lebanese soil. A possibility raised last night by the Chief of Staff, who indicated that “large-scale” bombings continue in southern and eastern Lebanon.
On Monday, the attacks left 558 people dead, according to authorities. This is the highest number of deaths recorded in one day since the end of the civil war in 1990. The bombings are forcing people to flee. The UN counts more than 90,000 displaced people.
Hezbollah announced yesterday that it had fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv. It was intercepted, Israel claims. This is the first time since October 7 that the Lebanese Shiite movement has launched a missile at the Hebrew state.
At the same time, Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq are calling for “increasing” and intensifying “operations” against the Israeli “enemy.”
It is in this context that Benjamin Netanyahu postponed his departure for New York by one day. The Israeli Prime Minister will speak at the UN tomorrow.
Source: BFM TV
