France Reaffirms Support for Lebanon as Israeli Strikes Escalate.
France on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon’s stability, pledging enhanced support for its armed forces and reconstruction, as Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continue to rise. During her visit to Beirut, Anne-Claire Legendre, adviser to the French president on Middle East and North Africa affairs, said Paris would continue to support Lebanon and “work to stabilize the southern area.” Her visit comes amid intensifying Israeli air raids on Hezbollah-linked sites, raising concerns about a wider conflict.
Legendre met senior Lebanese officials and confirmed France’s plans to organize two international conferences to bolster aid, reconstruction, and military capacity. She also pledged to activate the Cessation of Hostilities Oversight Committee (Mechanism) to implement the ceasefire framework requested by Lebanon.
The visit forms part of diplomatic efforts to ease Israeli security pressure and revive the stalled November 2025 ceasefire under UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanese Concerns
President Joseph Aoun told Legendre that Israeli hostilities and the occupation of five strategic positions prevent the Lebanese army from fully deploying south of the Litani River, as required by the ceasefire. He also noted that daily strikes hinder post-war reconstruction efforts.
According to Aoun, the Lebanese army continues operations south of the Litani River, including seizing weapons, inspecting tunnels, and maintaining security, despite propaganda and attacks from Israel, which have killed about 12 soldiers so far.
Aoun emphasized that diplomatic negotiations with Israel remain the most viable path to stability, though Lebanon has yet to receive a response. He highlighted that international support, particularly from France and the US, is essential to advance talks, with the Mechanism Committee able to sponsor such negotiations.
He also noted that the upcoming international conferences, involving France, the US, and Saudi Arabia, could help Lebanon equip its army and support the return of residents to southern villages affected by conflict. Following UNIFIL’s withdrawal, army deployments in the south are expected to reach 10,000 soldiers by year-end.
Continued Israeli Attacks
Israeli operations persisted on Thursday. A drone strike in Toul, near Nabatieh, killed the driver of a car, while air raids hit sites in Aitaroun and Tayr Felsay. Israeli authorities said the strikes targeted weapons depots and Hezbollah infrastructure near civilian areas.
Meanwhile, the 13th Mechanism Committee meeting, chaired by US Gen. Joseph Clearfield, addressed recent Israeli violations, including pre-strike evacuation warnings, which Lebanon called a breach of the ceasefire.
Hezbollah’s Stance
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassim confirmed the group will retain its weapons north of the Litani River, despite this violating ceasefire terms. The Phalangist Party questioned the need for arms retention in the south while assuring Israel’s northern settlements face no threat.
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