Macron advocates for halting weapon deliveries to Israel.
Following repeated assaults by Hezbollah, Israel responded a few days ago by attacking in southern Lebanon. This action didn't sit well with the French president. France and the United States had proposed a truce, but Israel chose to disregard it. French President Emmanuel Macron's response was prompt and clear.
At a press conference in Paris, Macron strongly condemned Israel's actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Particularly, he criticized the Israeli army's ground offensive in Lebanon, which began at the start of the week. Referencing a 21-day truce proposal by France and the U.S., Macron expressed regret at Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision.
At the press conference, which marked the end of a summit of French-speaking countries, Macron stated that the 88 nations had collectively called for an "immediate and lasting ceasefire" between Israel and Hezbollah.
Macron announced that France would host an international aid conference for Lebanon in October. Over 40,000 individuals have been displaced due to Israeli attacks.
France not providing weapons to Israel
In the past, the French president had advocated for a global halt to weapon deliveries to Israel on France Inter radio. "France is not supplying [weapons]," Macron stated. He emphasized the importance of returning to a "political solution" and ceasing weapon deliveries for the conflicts in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu reacted angrily to Macron's call for a halt to weapon deliveries. "While Israel fights the barbaric forces led by Iran, all civilized countries should stand firmly by Israel's side," he argued. However, Macron and other Western leaders were urging weapons embargoes against Israel - "disgrace upon them," Netanyahu retorted.
During his press conference, Macron reinforced Israel's right to self-defense. "France stands with Israel's security," he said.
Macron to meet with hostage families
The French president announced that he would meet with the families of French-Israeli hostages at the Élysée Palace on Monday, marking the anniversary of the large-scale Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.
As per Israeli statistics, around 1,205 individuals were killed as a result of the Hamas attack on Israel. Moreover, Hamas seized 251 individuals as hostages and took them to the Gaza Strip. 97 of the hostages are still being held, of whom 33 have been officially declared dead by Israel.
Since the Hamas attack, Israel has been conducting large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to numbers from the Hamas-controlled health ministry (whose accuracy cannot be confirmed), more than 41,800 individuals have been killed so far.
Following the Hamas attack, the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia launched a second front against Israel with regular rocket attacks. In recent days, Hezbollah's shelling of Israel has intensified, particularly after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in a Beirut suburb last week.
Furthermore, Iran itself targeted Israel with around 200 rockets on Tuesday evening; this was the second direct Iranian attack on Israel in six months. Most of the rockets were intercepted, according to Israeli reports. Tehran claimed the attack was in response to various matters, including the killing of Nasrallah. After the rocket attack, Israel threatened retaliation against Iran.
At the press conference, Macron explicitly stated that France will not be providing any weapons to Israel, citing the importance of pursuing a political solution to the conflicts in the Gaza Strip. Regarding the European Union, Macron highlighted that the 88 nations present at the summit collectively called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
