France pledges €100 million in aid to Lebanon amid Israeli invasion

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced on Thursday, that France would provide €100 million in support of Lebanon, including aid for the over 1 million people displaced by the ongoing Israeli invasion.

Macron made the announcement at the opening of an international conference aimed at addressing Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis and called for an immediate end to the conflict in southern Lebanon.

In southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched extensive airstrikes and ground operations targeting Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran. The French president urged both sides to reach a cease-fire, emphasizing that Israel’s military successes have historically failed to secure long-term peace in Lebanon.

“Israel knows its military victories do not bring lasting victory,” Macron said, referencing Israel’s prior incursions into Lebanon. He also called on Hezbollah to cease its “provocations” and condemned Iran for its role in exacerbating the conflict.

Senior officials from 70 countries and international organizations gathered in Paris to deliberate on ways to aid Lebanon, a country reeling from years of political instability, economic crises, and the devastating 2020 Beirut explosion. The blast, which killed more than 200 people and caused $15 billion in property damage, deepened Lebanon’s existing crises.

France’s €100 million pledge is part of a broader goal to raise €500 million in humanitarian assistance. Macron stressed that the funds were critical for addressing the needs of those displaced by the conflict, most of whom are fleeing from southern Lebanon. The president also highlighted the importance of preventing tensions between local communities and the displaced population.

Macron’s remarks come as tensions between France and Israel have heightened in recent weeks, particularly over Israel’s refusal to consider a cease-fire in both Lebanon and Gaza following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israeli civilians. Despite their recent diplomatic disagreements, Macron maintained his stance that lasting peace can only be achieved through negotiations, not through continued military action.