The Times of Israel is liveblogging Wednesday’s events as they happen.
Macron urges Netanyahu to prevent ‘conflagration’ between Israel and Hezbollah
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron urged leader Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent a “conflagration” between Israel and Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, during a telephone call between the two leaders.
Macron “reiterated his serious concern over a deepening of tensions between Hezbollah and Israel… and underscored the absolute need to prevent a conflagration that would harm the interests of Lebanon as well as Israel,” the French presidency says in a statement.
He also insists on the “urgency for all parties to move rapidly toward a diplomatic solution” to end the conflict sparked by the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
“The two leaders discussed the diplomatic efforts underway toward this,” the Elysee Palace says, ahead of a visit by the US envoy for the conflict, Amos Hochstein, to Paris on Wednesday.
Hochstein is scheduled to meet with Macron’s Lebanon envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian following visits to Israel and Lebanon in June to try to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Macron also called on Netanyahu to refrain from any “new operation” in Gaza near Rafah or Khan Younis, “which would only aggravate the human toll and a humanitarian situation that is already catastrophic,” the Elysee says.
Macron and Netanyahu also discussed recent “developments” in Iran’s nuclear program, in particular reports of “the installation of new centrifuges” for enriching uranium.
In mid-June, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran was further expanding its nuclear capabilities, with Western nations fearing the country is pursuing nuclear weapons following the US withdrawal from a 2015 deal to limit its atomic program.
The IAEA has said that Tehran has significantly ramped up its nuclear program and now has enough material to build several atomic bombs, though Iran says it is only for peaceful purposes.
“France, with its partners, remains fully committed to continuing to exert pressure on the Iranian government, which must respect its international obligations and fully cooperate with the IAEA,” Macron’s office says.
Israeli forces begin razing home of Palestinian charged with murdering Israeli teen
Israeli forces are currently operating in the West Bank town of Duma to demolish the home of Ahmed Dawabsha, who was indicted last month for the grizzly murder of 14-year-old Benjamin Achimeir in April.
Rocket sirens sound in south
Rocket alerts are sounding in Sufa and Holit near the Gaza border.