French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease airstrikes on Gaza and respect the Lebanon ceasefire. This plea follows renewed hostilities after a fragile truce collapsed. Macron’s intervention seeks to alleviate humanitarian issues worsened by ongoing violence. Netanyahu warns of targeting any perceived threats in Lebanon, complicating the situation further.
In a recent phone call, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt airstrikes on Gaza and return to a ceasefire arrangement. He emphasized the importance of respecting the truce with Hezbollah, a militant ally of Hamas, during their discussion on Sunday. Macron’s appeal aims to alleviate the humanitarian crisis by ensuring the resumption of aid deliveries to the affected population.
Macron’s plea is particularly significant as Israel had resumed intense bombardment of Gaza following the breakdown of a tenuous two-month truce. This escalation began after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including five children, during the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Furthermore, Macron urged Israel to adhere to the ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah’s positions in Beirut, marking a serious breach of the previous truce. This military action coincided with rocket fire from Lebanon towards Israel, putting further strain on the fragile agreement. Hezbollah, aligned with Hamas and supported by Iran, has distanced itself from the recent provocations.
Netanyahu has maintained that Israel reserves the right to strike any location in Lebanon perceived as a threat, declaring that the situation had shifted significantly. Macron condemned these strikes, labeling them an “unacceptable” breach of the truce, which has led to increased casualties according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The urgency of President Macron’s call for a cessation of strikes underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the fragile truce with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The recent military actions by Israel have exacerbated the situation, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Macron’s diplomatic efforts aim to restore peace and facilitate humanitarian aid, highlighting the dire need for adherence to ceasefire agreements in both regions.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
