Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declined a French initiative aimed at easing escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, amidst growing concerns of a potential full-scale conflict between the two parties.
In a statement, Gallant criticized France’s stance on Gaza, asserting that Israel would not participate in a proposed trilateral framework involving the United States and France. He accused France of adopting policies hostile to Israel while overlooking the violence perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli civilians.
The Israeli Defense Minister’s remarks sparked varying responses within the Israeli government. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later rebuffed Gallant’s statement, describing it as inaccurate and inappropriate.
French President Emmanuel Macron had proposed the initiative following increased hostilities at the Lebanese-Israeli border. The proposal, aimed at achieving a negotiated settlement, involves a trilateral contact group comprising Israel, the United States, and France, along with engagement with Lebanese authorities.
France has been critical of both Hamas’s attacks on Israel and Israel’s military actions in Gaza, advocating for adherence to international humanitarian law. Macron’s plan includes provisions for Hezbollah to withdraw from border areas, Israel to cease attacks on southern Lebanon, and negotiations over disputed territories.
Hezbollah, in response, has linked any potential diplomatic agreement to an end of Israeli operations in Gaza. The organization has intensified attacks on Israeli military positions, prompting Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanese villages and Hezbollah targets. Despite these clashes, the conflict has remained largely localized to the border region.
The recent escalation has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border, with Hezbollah asserting readiness for war in the event of a major Israeli offensive. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have pledged to push Hezbollah forces further away from Israel’s borders.
US and Western officials have urged against further escalation, emphasizing the importance of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza as a step towards resolving tensions in the region.
