Macron: France Working On De-Escalating Israel-Lebanon Situation

Wires reporting that French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a call today, that France is, "working on de-escalating situation between Israel and Lebanon."

• The Time of Israel reports that Iran-backed Hezbollah's increasingly sophisticated missile defence systems threaten to reduce Israel's air superiority and raise concerns of a broader escalation on Israel's northern border with tensions heightened following the exchange of missile fire between Israel and Iran.
• According to the Elysee Palace, Macron told Netanyahu that France is determined to avoid "regional escalation" and, "determined to strengthen measures against Iran attempts to destabilise region."
• Middle East Monitor reports that Netanyahu requested French support to "calm the situation" with Hezbollah after a French-led initiative stalled earlier this year.
• MEM reports: "The original proposal, which suggested Israel halt its targeting of Lebanese sites in exchange for Hezbollah moving seven kilometers away from the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel, was rejected by Lebanon."
• MEM notes that, per the original proposal, "Israel was to agree to cease military operations and make commitments to demarcate the land borders, address the Lebanese oil and gas dispute, and facilitate progress in the political process within Lebanon."
• According to Al-Mayadeen, the French initiative has been amended, abandoning the original Israeli seven-kilometer request. Instead, it proposes the withdrawal of “specific military capabilities of Hezbollah.” In exchange, Israel would halt all military operations and violations in Lebanese airspace, along with addressing other components from the previous initiative.