The war that "Israel is waging in Gaza has gone on for too long," French President Emmanuel Macron told the United Nations.
He stressed that "there is no justification for the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian casualties", AFP reported.
"It is imperative that a new phase begins in Gaza, that the guns are silenced, that humanitarian aid returns and that civilians are finally protected," he said, adding that France would participate in "any initiative that will save lives" and ensure the safety of all.
The French president took care to reiterate his "firm condemnation of the terrible and unprecedented terrorist attack decided and carried out by (the Palestinian Islamist group) Hamas against Israel on 7 October".
"Terrorism is unacceptable, whatever the cause, and we mourn the victims of the Hamas attack on 7 October, among them 48 French citizens," he said.
But he also stressed that "too many innocent people have died" in the Israeli crackdown, calling it "a scandal for humanity" and "a dangerous source of hatred and resentment that threatens and will threaten the security of all."
He also called "resolutely for Israel to stop the escalation in Lebanon and for Hezbollah to stop shooting."
The international community fears an all-out conflagration in the Middle East following this week's Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which caused hundreds of casualties, thousands of injuries and mass population displacement.
Emmanuel Macron believes that "in the near future" "the main risk is that of escalation" in the Middle East.
He conveyed his "fraternal thoughts" to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.
He also stressed that Hezbollah "has for too long taken the unbearable risk of dragging Lebanon into a war in which Israel, for its part, cannot expand its operations without consequences."
"France demands that everyone respect their obligations along the Blue Line," the demarcation line drawn by the United Nations between Israel and Lebanon, he added, assuring that France would act "to reach a diplomatic solution that is essential to spare civilians and prevent a regional explosion."
France requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Finally, he indicated that his foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, would travel to Lebanon "at the end of the week."
The President was due to meet his US counterpart Joe Biden in New York before flying to Canada. | BGNES
