Macron expresses displeasure towards Israel's ground operation in Lebanon
After repeated attacks by Hezbollah, Israel responded a few days ago by striking in southern Lebanon, an action that irked French President Emmanuel Macron. France and the USA suggested a truce, but Israel disregarded it. Macron responded swiftly.
At a press event in Paris, Macron strongly denounced Israel's actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, especially the Israeli army's land operation launched at the start of the week. Referencing a 21-day truce proposal by France and the USA, Macron voiced his regret that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a different decision.
During the press conference, held to wrap up a summit of French-speaking nations, Macron mentioned that the 88 countries had agreed on an "immediate and permanent truce" between Israel and Hezbollah.
Macron also announced that France would host an international aid conference for Lebanon in October, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced by Israeli attacks.
France Not Providing Weapons to Israel
Previously, Macron had urged for an international halt to weapons deliveries to Israel, used in the Gaza Strip, on French radio station France Inter. "France is not providing," Macron stated. He emphasized the necessity of returning to a "political solution" and ending weapons deliveries "for the Gaza Strip's conflicts."
Netanyahu reacted angrily to Macron's weapons embargo call. "While Israel combats the brutal forces led by Iran, all civilized nations should uphold Israel's side firmly," he said. However, Macron, along with other Western leaders, demanded an arms embargo against Israel - "disgrace on them," Netanyahu added.
During the press conference, Macron reiterated Israel's right to defend itself. "France is in solidarity with Israel's security," he said.
Macron to Meet with Hostage Families
The French president announced that he would greet families of French-Israeli hostages at the Élysée Palace on Monday, marking the anniversary of Hamas's mass attack on Israel that initiated the Gaza war.
According to Israeli data, roughly 1,205 individuals were killed in Hamas's mass assault on Israel. Furthermore, Hamas held 251 people as hostages in the Gaza Strip. 97 of these hostages are still being detained, while Israel confirms the deaths of 33 of them.
Since Hamas's assault, Israel has been conducting extensive military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to statistics from the Hamas-controlled health ministry, which cannot be independently confirmed, over 41,800 individuals have been reported dead.
Right after Hamas's attack, Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian militia, opened a second front against Israel with regular rocket attacks. In recent times, Hezbollah's bombardment of Israel has grown more intense, particularly after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in a Beirut suburb last week.
Additionally, Iran itself launched around 200 rockets at Israel on Tuesday evening; it was the second Iranian direct attack on Israel within six months. The majority of the rockets were intercepted, as per Israeli reports. Tehran claimed the attack was a response, among other things, to Nasrallah's killing. After the rocket attack, Israel threatened Iran with retaliation.
The refugees, among the countless individuals affected by the conflict, are hoping for an immediate and permanent truce between Israel and Hezbollah, as proposed by France and 88 other nations. Macron, during the aid conference for Lebanon, emphasized the importance of protecting the rights and needs of these refugees.
