ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Tuesday of the risk of further escalation in Lebanon and emphasized the need for de-escalation following talks with his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog.

"I also stressed the urgent need to prevent a further escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, whose stability and territorial integrity must be preserved," Macron said on US social media company X.

He added that "France's priority is de-escalation, support for the efforts of the Lebanese government, which has taken strong and courageous decisions to uphold the sovereignty of the Lebanese state, and the preservation of infrastructure and civilian populations, who are the primary victims of this crisis."

Macron also underlined expectations regarding the security of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid growing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.

"Hezbollah made a grave mistake in deciding to attack Israel," he said, while calling for broader restraint and efforts to avoid further deterioration.

Renewed diplomacy remains key, he noted, saying: "I am convinced that resuming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon is an opportunity that must be seized. France is actively working towards this goal."

He further called on all parties to avoid targeting critical infrastructure and return to dialogue, stressing "the absolute necessity for the parties to the conflict to focus on preserving civilian and energy infrastructure, which sustains millions of people."

Hezbollah has fired barrages of rockets into Israel since early March, with Israel pounding Lebanon with airstrikes and launching a ground offensive in the south amid rising regional escalation. Lebanese authorities say at least 1,039 people have been killed and 2,876 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2.

The current escalation came amid a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed over 1,340 people since Feb. 28. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, saying they are aimed at "US military assets."