International delegates are convening in Paris for a crucial conference on Thursday with the primary objective of advocating for a ceasefire in the Middle East and securing half-a-billion dollars in humanitarian aid for Lebanon. The meeting is taking place against a backdrop of escalating tensions between France and Israel, triggered by Paris' call to halt arms exports to Israel in a bid to facilitate a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
French Foreign Minister, in a video statement, emphasized that the conference is geared towards fostering a sustainable diplomatic resolution for both Lebanon and Israel. The overarching goals include mobilizing humanitarian assistance and bolstering support for Lebanon's military to safeguard the nation's unity, stability, and sovereignty. The minister underscored the urgency of the situation in Lebanon, a country with historical ties to France, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The conference aims to raise 500 million euros ($540 million) in aid, as per a document from the French foreign ministry cited by Reuters. The event is unfolding amidst strained relations between France and Israel, exacerbated by recent incidents such as Israeli military actions causing injuries to UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Additionally, European nations are distancing themselves from Israel due to concerns over its prolonged military engagements in the region.
In a recent phone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron, Netanyahu expressed opposition to a unilateral ceasefire in the conflict with Hezbollah, arguing that such a move would only revert the security situation in Lebanon to its previous state.
