![French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem on October 25, 2023 [GPO/ Handout - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AA-20231024-32509468-32509467-FRENCH_PRESIDENT_EMMANUEL_MACRON_IN_ISRAEL.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
French President, Emmanuel Macron, urged Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday in a phone call to “withdraw his forces still deployed in Lebanon,” according to the Elysee Palace.
The French presidency said in a statement that “The President of the republic stressed to the prime minister the importance of ensuring that nothing compromises the efforts of the new Lebanese authorities to restore the authority of the state throughout the territory of their country.”
The statement did not explicitly mention the martyrdom of at least 22 people in southern Lebanon on Sunday after the Israeli army opened fire on citizens trying to return to their towns, according to Lebanese authorities.
Convoys of hundreds of cars and motorcycles, some with passengers raising victory signs and yellow Hezbollah flags, and pictures of its fighters who died during the war, headed towards areas where the Israeli army is still deployed.
Sunday marked the end of the deadline for the Israeli army to withdraw from the border areas it infiltrated during the war with Hezbollah, under a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since dawn on 27 November, ending a conflict between the Occupation state and the Iranian-backed party that has lasted for over a year.
READ: Lebanon news anchor detained over Al Arabiya interview with Israel army spox
However, Israel confirmed on Friday that its forces will not complete the withdrawal due to Lebanon’s failure to implement the agreement “in full”. A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that “the phased withdrawal process will continue in coordination with the US.”
Under the agreement brokered by the US, Israel must withdraw its forces within 60 days, which is by 26 January, and that this will be accompanied by a strengthening of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL.
Macron said in the call with Netanyahu, according to the Elysee, “France will take all necessary measures, within the ceasefire supervision mechanism, in conjunction with the United States and Lebanon, so that the latter regains its full sovereignty and that the security of Israel is ensured.”
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Gaza. The Elysee Palace said the French President indicated that France would stand by the Israeli authorities to expedite the release of all hostages, including French citizens Ofer Calderon and Ohad Yahalomi.
Calderon and Yahalomi hold dual Israeli and French citizenship and are being held by Hamas. Their names are on the list of 33 hostages that Hamas is set to release as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on the phone on Sunday.
The conversation covered developments in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, in addition to other issues.
Netanyahu said that “The French President assured the prime minister that Israeli companies would be able to participate in the Paris Air Show.”
READ: 15 killed by Israeli army fire as residents try to return to southern Lebanon