Macron says France ready to facilitate ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon

PARIS - France is ready to facilitate ceasefire discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X on Saturday.

He said that the Lebanese leadership was open to direct discussions with Israel and called on Israel to "seize this opportunity to launch ceasefire discussions, to find a lasting solution and to allow the Lebanese authorities to put in place their engagements for Lebanon's sovereignty."

He called on Israel to stop its offensive and on Hezbollah to stop its actions.

"Everything must be done to stop Lebanon from descending into chaos," he said. 

Macron’s statement came after at least 12 medical personnel were killed in an Israeli strike on a healthcare center in the town of Borj Qalaouiya in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese state news agency reported on Saturday, citing the health ministry.

The health ministry said the death toll was preliminary, with rescue operations underway to search for missing persons.