French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly stated that Lebanon must not become a battleground similar to Gaza. Originally calling for a halt to arms shipments to Israel, Macron's stance took a shift when his office clarified that France would continue providing defensive equipment to Israel, specifically for missile defense.

In an interview with France Inter, Macron emphasized the need for a "political solution" to resolve Israel's longstanding conflict with Gaza. He highlighted that an arms embargo should be a cornerstone of these efforts and announced that Paris had already ceased its arms deliveries to Israel. According to BFMTV, the presidential palace confirmed that while offensive arms shipments had been stopped, defense equipment supplies would persist.

Macron expressed frustration over the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in nearly 42,000 deaths despite persistent calls for a ceasefire. "I think we are not being heard," he stated, adding that the continuous assault is a strategic mistake detrimental to Israel's security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, responded with strong disapproval, condemning Macron and other leaders who have advocated for an arms embargo. In a recorded statement, Netanyahu asserted, "shame on them" and confidently proclaimed, "Israel will win with or without their support."

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Macron stressed the importance of preventing further escalation, noting, "The Lebanese people must not, in turn, be sacrificed. Lebanon cannot become another Gaza." France, alongside the US and several Arab and European nations, has been actively pushing for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to mediate a solution to the conflict ignited by Israel's recent offensive on Lebanon.

Macron had previously accused Netanyahu of escalating regional tensions, urging him to take responsibility for avoiding conflict. In a September conversation, Macron remarked, "Your activity in the north is pushing the region to war," and urged Netanyahu to seek a diplomatic path.

As tension escalates, France has ramped up its diplomatic engagements, with Jean-Noel Barrot, the French Foreign Affairs Minister, becoming the first Western representative to visit Lebanon after the assault began.

Macron's assurances that France has halted its arms sales to Israel have been met with skepticism from rights groups and investigative media, who criticize the opacity surrounding the issue. A report obtained by Mediapart revealed that France delivered €30 million worth of military equipment to Israel in 2023, but it remains unclear if these deliveries continued after the assaults started on October 7. The Ministry of Armed Forces was reportedly unable to specify the timeline of these shipments.