“France Urges Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon Amid Escalating Israeli Strikes”

France Reaffirms Support for Lebanon Amid Escalating Israeli Strikes.

France on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon’s stability, pledging enhanced support for its armed forces and reconstruction efforts, as Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continue to escalate.

During her official visit to Beirut, Anne-Claire Legendre, adviser to the French president on Middle East and North Africa affairs, said Paris would continue to support Lebanon and “work to stabilize the southern area.” Her visit coincides with intensifying Israeli air raids on Hezbollah-linked sites, raising fears of a wider conflict.

Legendre met with senior Lebanese officials and reaffirmed France’s plan to organize two international conferences to bolster Lebanon’s aid, reconstruction, and army capabilities. She also pledged to activate the Cessation of Hostilities Oversight Committee (Mechanism), following Lebanon’s request to implement the ceasefire framework.

The visit forms part of urgent diplomatic efforts to ease Israeli security pressure and revive the stalled November 2025 ceasefire agreement under UN Resolution 1701, originally designed to end the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese Concerns:
President Joseph Aoun told Legendre that ongoing Israeli hostilities, including the occupation of five strategic positions, prevent the Lebanese army from fully deploying south of the Litani River, as stipulated by the ceasefire. Daily Israeli strikes also hamper post-war reconstruction efforts.

Aoun emphasized that the Lebanese army continues its duties, including seizing weapons, inspecting tunnels, and maintaining deployments, despite Israeli propaganda and attacks, which have killed about 12 soldiers so far.

The President reiterated that diplomatic negotiations with Israel remain the most viable path to restoring stability, but Lebanon has not yet received a response to its proposals. He highlighted that international support, particularly from France and the US, could advance these negotiations, with the Mechanism Committee serving as a potential sponsor.

Aoun also noted that the upcoming international conferences, involving France, the US, and Saudi Arabia, could help Lebanon secure military equipment and facilitate the return of residents to southern villages damaged by conflict. He welcomed European contributions to maintain stability after UNIFIL’s withdrawal, with Lebanese army deployments expected to reach 10,000 soldiers by year-end.

Continued Israeli Strikes:
On Thursday, Israeli attacks persisted. A drone strike in Toul, near Nabatieh, killed one driver, while air raids hit sites in Aitaroun and Tayr Felsay. Israeli authorities claimed the targets were weapons depots and Hezbollah infrastructure near civilian areas.

Meanwhile, the 13th meeting of the Mechanism Committee, chaired by US Gen. Joseph Clearfield, addressed Israeli violations, including warnings issued prior to strikes — actions described by Lebanon as ceasefire breaches.

Hezbollah’s Position:
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassim stated the group intends to retain its weapons north of the Litani River, despite this violating ceasefire terms. The Phalangist Party questioned the rationale, noting that assurances about northern settlements facing no threat, while retaining arms in the south, raise serious concerns.