Overview
- Jean-Noel Barrot traveled to Israel on an unscheduled visit after talks in Beirut to press de-escalation, humanitarian access and regional security.
- After meeting Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, Barrot said he saw no obvious short-term way out but pledged continued efforts toward a lasting solution.
- An Israeli military warning of Iranian missile launches forced Barrot, officials and reporters into a bomb shelter during his visit near Tel Aviv.
- France urged Israeli and Lebanese representatives to open constructive negotiations and offered to host talks, as Israel rebuffed Beirut’s direct-talk offer and Hezbollah rejected negotiations.
- French counter-proposals to U.S. ideas drew a lukewarm response from Washington and were rejected by Israel, according to diplomats.