French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged the United States to pressure Israel into accepting a 21-day ceasefire plan in Lebanon, warning that an Israeli invasion would be a grave mistake.
Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz rejected a joint French-American proposal for a 21-day truce. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the military to continue fighting with full force.
Macron emphasized the need for clear and committed communication from all partners, stating, “Israel cannot invade Lebanon today. War in Lebanon would be a significant mistake and a major risk of escalation.”
During a press conference in Montreal, Macron expressed his belief that Israeli officials’ comments regarding the proposed ceasefire in Lebanon were not definitive.
He reaffirmed France’s opposition to Lebanon becoming a “new Gaza” and called on Israel to halt its attacks, while also urging Hezbollah to cease its retaliatory actions.
