With Lebanon hit hard by Israeli raids that claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians on Monday 23 September, France, through its Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The aim of this meeting, which is expected to take place ‘within the week’, is to address the critical situation in Lebanon, where violence has reached alarming levels.

‘France calls for restraint and urges all parties to avoid an escalation that could destabilise the entire region, with catastrophic consequences for civilian populations’, declared Jean-Noël Barrot during a speech at the UN

The minister expressed his deep solidarity with the Lebanese people, who were particularly hard hit by these deadly strikes, which claimed hundreds of innocent victims, many of them children. ‘My thoughts are with the Lebanese people, who have been devastated by this tragedy. It is imperative that these attacks stop immediately’, he insisted.

A heavy and alarming toll: 492 dead, including 35 children

The Israeli strikes, concentrated on Hezbollah positions, caused the death of 492 people, including 35 children, according to figures from the Lebanese authorities. This bloody day was the deadliest for months, rekindling tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in a context already tense because of the conflict in Gaza.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres expressed his ‘deep concern’ at the scale of the loss of life in southern and eastern Lebanon, which has been heavily bombarded by Israeli forces. The international community fears that this escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Iran, could trigger a major regional crisis that would be difficult to contain.

Calls for caution from both sides

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advised the Lebanese to ‘leave areas at risk’ in anticipation of the ongoing military operation. For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned what he described as a ‘plan of destruction’ against his country, saying that schools would remain closed on Tuesday as a sign of mourning and security.

France, true to its diplomatic commitment, intends to play an active role in finding a solution to this dramatic crisis and avoiding an uncontrollable conflagration in the region.