French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his call on Friday to stop arms exports to Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing that this is the only viable way to end the conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, backed by Iran.
Speaking at a press conference in Cyprus after a Med9 summit of EU Mediterranean nations, Macron clarified that his appeal was not aimed at disarming Israel but at preventing further destabilization in the region.
Read more: France Backs Thailand’s Bid For Visa-Free Access To The EU
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict began a year ago when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, backing Hamas as the Gaza war unfolded. Hamas’s initial attack killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, sparking an ongoing escalation. Recently, Israel has intensified its strikes in Lebanon, while Hezbollah has retaliated with deeper rocket attacks into Israeli territory.
Macron also stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire to protect civilians and hostages. He reiterated that halting arms exports to the region is key to preventing further violence. Last week, Macron similarly urged for a stop to arms shipments in Gaza, a stance criticized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who argued it would benefit Iran and its allies. France, though not a major arms supplier to Israel, exported 30 million euros worth of military equipment to Israel last year.
