From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 20, 2026
Visiting French FM voices concern over IDF ground op in Lebanon; Sa’ar tells him Israel ‘will act decisively against’ enemies
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says that he outlined France’s reservations about a possible Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon, speaking to reporters after meeting with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem.
Barrot adds that the Lebanese army must do everything possible to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah as demanded by the Lebanese government.
Barrot is speaking during a brief visit to Israel after traveling to Lebanon yesterday amid efforts to reduce regional tensions and secure a ceasefire there.
The top French diplomat says he does not see an obvious end to Middle East tensions during the ongoing US-Israeli aerial assault against Iran, but that France and its allies would continue to work towards trying to find a lasting solution.
“There is no obvious short-term way out of the ongoing regional escalation, which has in some ways been unfolding since October 7, 2023,” he says. “But this must in no way serve as a pretext for inaction.”
In a post on X, Sa’ar says the two discussed the war against Iran and intensified fighting with Hezbollah during their meeting.
I hosted my French counterpart, FM @jnbarrot, in Jerusalem.
I listened to his impressions from his visit to Lebanon, and we discussed at length the war against Iran, Hezbollah, and other issues.I presented to him the scope of attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory (over… pic.twitter.com/u8wXmqe8eP
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) March 20, 2026
Sa’ar says he reiterated to Barrot that “the Lebanese government and its army are not taking any meaningful action against Hezbollah, neither militarily nor in other aspects,” and that he “presented Israel’s precise operations against Hezbollah operatives, while making efforts to minimize harm to the civilian population as much as possible.”
“Israel will continue to defend itself and its citizens and will act decisively against all those who seek its elimination,” Sa’ar told his French counterpart, calling on France and the European Union to designate “the entirety” of the Iran-backed group as a terrorist organization, “not only its military wing,” as some European countries have done.
The Times of Israel Community.