French President Responds to Lebanese Appeal Amid Regional Conflict
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced he intends to “establish a plan” to “put an end to the military operations” of Hezbollah and Israel. This comes after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urgently requested Macron intervene with Israel to prevent the bombardment of southern Beirut suburbs. The Israeli military had called on residents to evacuate “immediately” for their survival, causing widespread panic in the Lebanese capital.
In a statement on X, Macron emphasized that “everything must be done to prevent” Lebanon from being “dragged into war again.” He stated, “The Lebanese have a right to peace and security. As does everyone in the Middle East.” Macron outlined that “Hezbollah must immediately cease firing toward Israel. Israel must renounce any large-scale or ground intervention on Lebanese territory.”
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds as Strikes Intensify
The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated rapidly since the country was drawn into the expanding regional conflict earlier this week. The death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon has reached 102, with 638 injured, according to Lebanese sources. In response to the crisis, Macron has “decided on the immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid” and assured that “several tons of medicine are being shipped.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked his “friend” Donald Trump for cooperation regarding Iran during a visit to an airbase in southern Israel. “The cooperation is historic between the American armed forces and those of the IDF,” Netanyahu said, adding that strikes against “terrorist regime targets in Iran” and “terrorist elements in Lebanon” would continue.
Regional and International Reactions
The conflict continues to draw reactions from across the globe:
- Iran’s Stance: Iranian Foreign Affairs Chief Abbas Araghtchi told NBC News that Iran has not requested a ceasefire or negotiations with the United States. “Why should we negotiate with the U.S.?” he asked, citing previous negotiations that ended with attacks. He also stated Iran currently has “no intention” of closing the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. Position: President Donald Trump stated he is prepared to accept “any help from any country” following a Ukrainian proposal concerning Iranian Shahed drones. In an interview with Axios, Trump also insisted he “must be involved” in the selection of the successor to Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- Other Developments: A missile strike caused a fire at Bahrain’s main oil refinery, explosions were reported in eastern Tehran amid Israeli aerial raids, and Azerbaijan denounced an Iranian drone attack as “terrorist.”
Mounting Civilian Toll and Displacement
The humanitarian impact is severe. The Iranian Red Crescent reports nearly 4,000 civilian buildings and 14 healthcare centers have been hit in Iran. In Beirut, images show massive traffic jams as residents flee southern suburbs following the evacuation order, with displaced people gathering in public squares and shelters in the north of the city.
As the conflict enters its sixth day, international diplomatic efforts, led by figures like Macron, are intensifying to prevent further escalation and civilian suffering in an increasingly volatile Middle East.
