French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly criticized Israel’s airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, declaring them “unjustified” and a violation of the fragile truce brokered by France and the U.S. in November.
The Israeli military on Friday carried out a rare bombing raid on Beirut’s southern suburbs, its most significant attack on the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire agreement. The strike has further escalated tensions in the already volatile region.
“The framework agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel was not respected today by Israel, unilaterally, and without us having either information or proof of the triggering event,” Macron stated, emphasizing that no provocation warranted the assault.
He revealed plans to speak with U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to restore full compliance with the truce. Macron had earlier met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris to discuss economic reforms and efforts to stabilize Lebanon amid ongoing tensions.
The November ceasefire deal required Hezbollah to remove weapons from southern Lebanon, Israeli forces to withdraw, and Lebanon to deploy its national army in the region. However, both sides have since traded accusations of violating the agreement, raising fears of renewed conflict.
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