French President Emmanuel Macron warned Israel against launching a ground invasion of Lebanon as the country started moving into Lebanese territory. 

 

Macron said in a televised address that recent events marked a dangerous expansion of the conflict and called on all parties to respect sovereignty. 

“In recent hours, the war has spread to Lebanon, from where Hezbollah — in a grave mistake — attacked Israel and put the Lebanese people at risk,” Macron said. He added that reports of an Israeli ground operation would represent a “dangerous escalation and a strategic error”.

 

He urged Hezbollah to cease its attacks immediately and called on Israel to respect Lebanese territory and its integrity. 

Macron’s comments came as Israeli troops began illegal operations in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets and drones into northern Israel, in response to the war in Iran.

The spillover into Lebanon followed heightened hostilities linked to the broader conflict involving the United States (US), Israel and Iran. 

Hezbollah’s attacks along the Israel–Lebanon border triggered retaliatory strikes by Israel across southern Lebanon and around Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanese health authorities reported casualties including civilians amid the exchanges. 

Israeli forces have moved ground troops near the Lebanese frontier and issued evacuation orders for villages close to the border. The Lebanese government and UN peacekeepers reported temporary Israeli incursions into Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah declared it was ready for “open war.” 

Macron stressed France’s support for Lebanese sovereignty and called for restraint from all parties. He also announced deployments of French defence assets to the region in support of allied countries facing attacks.