Mediation under rockets: Macron calls on Israel and Lebanon to hold talks in Paris
Diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation between Israel and Lebanon are accelerating as cross-border rocket attacks continue and the risk of the conflict expanding across the region grows.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is ready to facilitate talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, proposing that they be held in Paris and urging both sides to seize the opportunity to contain the escalation and reach a lasting solution that would prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos.
In a post on the platform X, Macron said that the Lebanese leadership had shown openness to direct dialogue with Israel, calling on Tel Aviv to “seize this opportunity to launch ceasefire talks and reach a lasting solution.”
He also called on Israel to halt its offensive and urged Hezbollah to stop its military operations, warning that “every effort must be made to prevent Lebanon from sliding into chaos.”
Israeli strikes
The French initiative comes as military operations on the ground intensify.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike targeted a residential building on Saturday in the Al-Nabaa – Bourj Hammoud area north of Beirut, for the second consecutive day following a similar strike on Friday.
In southern Lebanon, the Ministry of Health announced that twelve health workers, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses, were killed in a strike that hit a medical center in the town of Bourj Qalaouiyeh, while rescue teams continued searching for missing persons beneath the rubble.
Reports also indicated another strike targeting a residential building in the Haret Saida area in southern Lebanon, causing a fire at the site.
For its part, the Israeli army said the strike targeted Hezbollah members who were transporting rocket shells to a weapons depot in the village of Al-Majdal in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated that the group had prepared itself for a “long confrontation,” indicating that the conflict with Israel could continue amid the ongoing military escalation.
Amid these developments, international pressure to contain the war is increasing. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, where the number of people displaced by the war has exceeded 800,000. An emergency funding appeal of 325 million dollars has been launched to support relief efforts.
Rockets from Lebanon and warning sirens
On the Israeli side, warning sirens sounded in the Western Galilee region in northern Israel after rockets were launched from Lebanon.
Reports indicated that some rockets were intercepted, while others fell in open areas without causing injuries or damage so far. The alerts included towns such as Maalot-Tarshiha and Avirim.
Reports also mentioned a rocket falling in the town of Hatzor HaGlilit in northern Israel, causing material damage but no injuries.
In a separate incident, the Israeli military announced that it intercepted three drones that had entered the airspace of Western Galilee from Lebanon.
Sirens were activated in several border towns before the three drones were intercepted, after which the Home Front Command announced the end of the alert state.
Fears of an Israeli ground operation
At the same time, speculation is growing about the possibility of expanding Israeli military operations inside Lebanon.
According to reports cited by the Axios website, quoting U.S. and Israeli officials, Israel is considering significantly expanding its ground operation in order to take control of the entire area south of the Litani River and dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
If this scenario materializes, it could represent the largest Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon since the 2006 war, raising fears that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional confrontation.
U.S. pressure and a possible negotiation track
Meanwhile, the administration of Donald Trump is seeking to support Israeli military actions against Hezbollah while also pressing to limit the damage that could be inflicted on the Lebanese state.
Washington is also working to promote a diplomatic track that could include direct talks between Israel and Lebanon regarding post-war arrangements.
In recent days, the Lebanese government has indicated its willingness to engage in such discussions without preconditions, in an attempt to contain the growing escalation.
However, with rocket attacks and military movements continuing along the border, the prospects for de-escalation will largely depend on the ability of diplomatic efforts to keep pace with the rapidly evolving developments on the ground.
