French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz to avoid escalation “particularly in Lebanon,” according to a statement from the French presidency.
“The President of the Republic stressed that it was essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon, and that France would continue to pass on these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the area,” the statement read.
Macron’s comments come after Hamas accused Israel of carrying a strike in Lebanon that killed senior Hamas leader Saleh Al-Arouri on Tuesday.
Israel has not claimed involvement in the strike.
Macron also expressed concern over the civilian death toll and the humanitarian emergency in Gaza. The French president also spoke out against “unacceptable” statements calling for the forced displacement of Gazans.2