- French FM Barrot urged Israel to avoid ground incursions and called for a ceasefire from both sides.
- He emphasized the need for a UN-proposed truce, stating time is running out.
- A coalition of countries called for an "immediate 21-day ceasefire."
- Israeli strikes in Lebanon have reportedly killed over 1,000 since mid-September.
“I urge Israel to refrain from any ground incursion and to cease fire. I also call on Hezbollah to do the same and avoid any actions that could further destabilize the region,” French Foreign Minister Barrot stated during a press conference in Beirut.
Barrot emphasized the importance of both sides agreeing to a truce proposed by the United Nations. “It is still on the table. There is still hope, but time is running out,” he added.
Recently, Paris, Washington, and a coalition of Arab, Western, and European nations called for an “immediate 21-day ceasefire” to allow diplomacy a chance to take effect.
In response, Israel dismissed the ceasefire proposal and escalated its military operations in southern Lebanon, eastern regions, and southern suburbs of Beirut, resulting in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
This escalation follows nearly a year of cross-border hostilities, which Hezbollah claims is in support of Hamas, following the group’s attack on Israel on October 7 that triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Since mid-September, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have reportedly resulted in over 1,000 fatalities, according to local authorities.
The situation remains tense as calls for a ceasefire continue to grow amidst ongoing violence and instability in the region.
