Macron Urges Ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions

President Macron has urged Israel to stop strikes on Gaza and Lebanon and return to ceasefire agreements. This follows the resumption of airstrikes in Gaza after a fragile truce collapsed. The situation includes rising casualties and a new ground offensive, prompting Macron’s calls for humanitarian aid and respect for Lebanon’s truce with Hezbollah.

French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a phone discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to cease airstrikes on Gaza and return to a ceasefire agreement. He emphasized the importance of Israel respecting the truce with Hezbollah in Lebanon, highlighting that humanitarian aid should be delivered without delay. This intervention occurs amid renewed Israeli bombardment following the collapse of a temporary truce with Hamas.

Israel’s intense airstrikes on Gaza resumed on March 18, marking the end of a nearly two-month ceasefire that was initially put in place after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Recent reports indicate that an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including five children, during Eid al-Fitr, a significant Islamic holiday.

Macron also called for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes on the southern Beirut district linked to Hezbollah occurred following four months of relative peace. This escalation followed rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel, raising tensions and testing the fragile ceasefire. Hezbollah, aligned with Hamas and supported by Iran, denied any involvement in the rocket attacks.

In response, Netanyahu asserted Israel’s intent to target perceived threats throughout Lebanon, claiming a shift in the operational strategy. Macron condemned the strikes on Beirut as an “unacceptable” breach of peace, following reports of at least five casualties from the recent bombings.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated, prompting French President Macron to urge for a cessation of strikes and humanitarian aid access. Israel’s renewed military actions in Gaza and Lebanon highlight a deteriorating situation that risks deepening hostilities. Macron’s calls for adherence to ceasefire agreements underscore the urgent need for peaceful resolutions amid rising civilian casualties and tensions.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr