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SvennoJ 2 days ago
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Macron warns Israel against expanding war

The second day of the UN General Assembly was dominated by concerns over the escalating war on Gaza and the potential for the conflict to spread across the Middle East.

France’s President Macron criticised Israel’s prolonged military campaign in Gaza, warning against expanding operations into Lebanon. He stressed the importance of diplomacy to protect civilians and prevent a regional escalation, also calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy sought continued support against Russia’s invasion, but discussions remained largely focused on the growing threat of conflict in the Middle East.


Israel should accept Lebanon ceasefire for 7 days: Israel’s Lapid

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has called on the government to accept a ceasefire proposal floated by the US and France, but only for seven days.

Even the slightest violation of such a ceasefire would push Israel to restart its attacks with “its full force … in all areas of Lebanon”, said Lapid in a series of posts on X, adding that “we will not accept any proposal that does not include removing Hezbollah from our northern border”.

As we’ve been reporting, the US, France, Canada, Australia, Japan, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have backed a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

The warring parties are expected to decide “within hours” whether to accept it, the AFP news agency reported.


Lebanese PM hopeful of ceasefire

PM Najib Mikati has welcomed the international push for a 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border. Asked whether such a deal could be reached soon, Mikati told Reuters news agency: “Yes, hopefully.”

However, the success of any agreement would hinge on whether Israel, which has been moving troops closer to Lebanon, is committed to enforcing international resolutions, said Mikati.


‘Greenlight’ for ceasefire

Israel’s Channel 12 is reporting, quoting officials at Netanyahu’s office, that there is a “greenlight for ceasefire” with Hezbollah. As we’ve been reporting, the US, France, Canada, Australia, Japan, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have backed a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.


Israeli MP calls for relentless air strikes in Lebanon

Knesset member Gideon Saar has urged the Israeli military to intensify air raids throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, arguing that recent slowdowns are strategic “mistakes”.

He said that any letup in attacks allows Hezbollah to rebuild, complicating Israel’s war plans.

Translation: The recent reduction in air strike operations in Lebanon and the avoidance of attacks to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities in the Beirut area, as has been done in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, are mistakes. The continuity and systematic nature of the operations are essential for destroying the majority of Hezbollah’s capabilities to threaten the Israeli home front. Avoiding this allows Hezbollah to take actions that will complicate the mission moving forward.