Macron calls on Israel to avoid escalation, 'particularly in Lebanon'

Macron urges Israel to avoid escalation in Lebanon following strike that killed Hamas's deputy leader.

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to avoid escalation, "particularly in Lebanon", following a strike attributed to Israel that killed Hamas's deputy leader in Beirut, the Elysee Palace said Tuesday.

Macron, who spoke by telephone with the Israeli minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz, said "it is essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon" and that France would continue to pass on these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the area", the presidency said.