French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to avoid escalation, “particularly in Lebanon,” following a strike in Beirut attributed to Israel that killed Hamas’ deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri.
Macron, who spoke by telephone with Israeli minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz, said “it was essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon, and that France would continue to pass on these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the area,” the Elysée Palace said on Tuesday.
In his conversation with Gantz, Macron reiterated his call for a “lasting ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas.
He also expressed again his “deepest concern” at the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza, as well as the humanitarian crisis unfolding inside the Palestinian territory, while at the same time reaffirming “France’s commitment to the security of Israel.”
AFP
