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UN Calls for Immediate Halt to Violence in Gaza

Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The rockets were fired as Hamas announced a new operation against Israel. (AP)
Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The rockets were fired as Hamas announced a new operation against Israel. (AP)
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UN Calls for Immediate Halt to Violence in Gaza

Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The rockets were fired as Hamas announced a new operation against Israel. (AP)
Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The rockets were fired as Hamas announced a new operation against Israel. (AP)

The United Nation's High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate halt to violence in Gaza after Palestinian movement Hamas launched its biggest attack on Israel in years.

Volker Tuerk said he was shocked by reports that hundreds of rockets had been fired towards Israel on Saturday and reports that Israeli civilians have been taken hostage.

At least 22 Israelis have been killed in the attack and more than 250 wounded, Israel's ambulance service said, with the figures expected to rise.

"This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians," Tuerk said in a statement. "Civilians must never be the target of attack."

He called on Israel to take precautions to avoid civilian casualties as it responded to the attacks with air strikes into Gaza.

"I call for an immediate stop to the violence, and appeal to all sides and key countries in the region to de-escalate to avoid further bloodshed," Tuerk said.

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France: Committed to Supporting the Rise of a New Lebanon

President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
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France: Committed to Supporting the Rise of a New Lebanon

President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver three key messages during his upcoming visit to Lebanon on Friday, focusing on the nation’s sovereignty, economic reform, and preservation of unity. This marks Macron’s third trip to Lebanon following the 2020 Beirut port explosion, underscoring Paris’ ongoing engagement with Lebanon during its political and economic crises.
Macron will arrive in Beirut accompanied by a small delegation, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, parliamentarians, and individuals with strong ties to Lebanon.
His agenda includes meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Discussions will also extend to UNIFIL leaders and French and American officers overseeing the ceasefire monitoring team, focusing on Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and expanding the Lebanese army’s role in the region.
According to Elysee sources, France prioritizes Lebanon’s sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of empowering the state to control its borders, reclaim its territory, and implement UN Resolution 1701. Paris views the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as central to this goal, providing them with equipment, training, and logistical support. Macron is also urging Israel and Hezbollah to adhere to commitments for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The sources added that France’s approach extends to engaging with regional actors. Barrot recently stressed to Syrian officials the need to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, prevent smuggling, and maintain regional stability. These discussions echo themes raised during Mikati’s recent visit to Syria, as Paris seeks to address cross-border issues that threaten Lebanon’s security.
Macron’s visit also aims to address the role of Hezbollah within Lebanon. French officials encourage the group to transition into a political entity, fully integrating into the democratic process. They argue that Hezbollah’s declining military capacity, exacerbated by regional changes such as the weakening of the Assad regime, presents an opportunity for this transformation.
Macron’s previous engagements with Hezbollah during 2020 roundtable talks emphasized disarmament and inclusion in Lebanon’s political framework. France believes this shift is essential for restoring institutional functionality and preserving Lebanon’s unity, the sources underlined.
Macron’s third focus is on Lebanon’s economic recovery. The sources at the Elysee noted that France is advocating for structural reforms as a foundation for rebuilding the economy, beginning with an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Paris has made it clear that international aid depends on Lebanon restoring global confidence through transparency, anti-corruption measures, and economic restructuring.
While French officials did not confirm plans for an international conference to aid Lebanon, they indicated that Paris is prepared to mobilize global support if reforms are implemented. France also continues to coordinate closely with Saudi Arabia and the United States to develop a shared vision for Lebanon’s recovery, the sources concluded.