Macron urges US to press Israel for Lebanon ceasefire plan
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 significant mistake.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz had previously rejected a joint French-U.S. proposal for a 21-day truce, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to continue fighting with full force, according to Reuters.
Macron told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in English that there was still time for Netanyahu to agree to the ceasefire plan.
Macron stressed that the U.S. must increase pressure on Netanyahu to commit to the plan, and if Israel refused, France would bring the issue to the United Nations Security Council.
Macron emphasized the importance of international unity, saying, “Israel cannot invade Lebanon today. War is not possible in Lebanon; it would be a huge mistake and a significant risk of escalation.”
During a news conference in Montreal, Macron mentioned that he did not consider Israeli officials’ rejection of the ceasefire plan as final and urged both Israel and Hezbollah to cease hostilities.
Macron expressed concern that Lebanon could turn into a new Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to Israeli strikes and Hezbollah’s retaliation. He warned that further military escalation would destabilize the region and heighten risks for all involved parties.
France remains committed to seeking diplomatic solutions and aims to work with global partners to prevent further violence in Lebanon.
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