French President Emmanuel Macron, representing the 88 members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), joined calls for an “immediate and lasting” ceasefire in Lebanon on Saturday, October 5.
Macron stated the unanimous support for a ceasefire and commitment to easing tensions in the region, criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s choice to escalate with ground operations in Lebanon.
The French president reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense but also announced a meeting with relatives of Franco-Israelis held hostage in Gaza.
The anniversary of the Gaza war triggered by a Hamas attack marks a perilous regional crisis that has also affected Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties on both sides, raising concerns about the escalating violence in the region.