From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
In call with Netanyahu, Macron accused Israel of ‘unjustifiable targeting’ of UNIFIL — readout
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
French President Emmanuel Macron accused Israel of “indiscriminate” strikes in Lebanon and Gaza, and of targeting UN peacekeepers, says the Élysée Palace in its readout of yesterday’s contentious phone call between Macron and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Macron continued to push for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon to get to a diplomatic settlement, which he called “the only one likely to meet Israel’s security requirements.”
In the Israeli readout, Netanyahu rejected calls for a ceasefire, and said he would only agree to an arrangement in which all Hezbollah forces are pushed out of a buffer zone on Israel’s border.
Macron “also expressed his indignation after several peacekeepers were wounded by Israeli forces in Naqoura and urged Israel to put an end to this unjustifiable targeting.”
Israel continues to call for UNIFIL forces to leave combat areas for their own protection.
Macron called for a ceasefire in Gaza to get all the hostages out and allow humanitarian aid in, his office says. He also expressed concern over settler violence and settlement construction.
