Macron ‘regrets’ Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he regrets Israel’s ongoing attacks in Lebanon, expressing disappointment that his call for a 21-day pause in hostilities, made jointly with US President Joe Biden, has not been considered yet, Anadolu has reported.

“I regret that Israel continues its military operations in southern Lebanon, in Beirut and elsewhere, and that the number of civilian victims continues to grow,” said Macron during an aid conference for Lebanon hosted in Paris. He noted that he regrets the fact that “the appeal that President Biden and [I] made on 25 September for a 21-day pause in hostilities has not yet been heeded.”

Emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire to protect civilians affected by the conflict, he announced that France will pledge €100 million ($106m) in aid to Lebanon in response to an urgent UN appeal, which calls for €426m to assist the country. “We must shelter families, feed children and ensure that students continue their education,” said Macron.

Criticising Israel for continuing its military operations in Lebanon, leading to a growing number of civilian casualties, he said: “The war must end as soon as possible; there must be a ceasefire in Lebanon.”

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Expressing solidarity with Lebanon, and stressing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance amid rising displacement due to ongoing Israeli military operations, the French president added: “The full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties remains critical to achieving peace and security. Once a ceasefire is negotiated, France will accompany the redeployment of the Lebanese armed forces in the south, supporting it through UNIFIL [the UN Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeeping mission] and contributing to the army’s equipment.” The deployment, he insisted, must be strong, verifiable, and operational.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire which could have an immediate impact by calming tensions in southern Lebanon and lead to sustainable long-term stability and a diplomatic track. “The loss of Lebanese civilian lives and destruction could have been avoided if Israel had agreed to endorse the joint statement issued on 25 September, which was led by US and France,” said Mikati.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the conference in a video message, and urged “friends of Lebanon to support the ongoing humanitarian response efforts, including by providing rapid funding of the Lebanon Flash Appeal.” He regretted the grave situation in the region, and pointed out that, “What is happening in Lebanon today is not an isolated phenomenon.”

Guterres warned against the “growing threat of a major conflagration between Israel and Iran that would upend the entire region.” He also reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it says are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border exchanges of fire between the occupation state and the Lebanese militia since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza in October 2023. At least 2,574 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

READ: Hezbollah claims heavy Israeli losses: 70 soldiers, 28 tanks, drones downed