Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene with Israel to prevent strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the area, the Lebanese presidency said.

During a phone call, Aoun urged Macron “to intervene with Israel to prevent Beirut’s southern suburbs from being targeted,” and called for efforts to secure “a ceasefire as soon as possible,” according to an official statement.

The warning came as tensions escalated between Israel and Hezbollah, raising fears of further strikes on the densely populated southern districts of the Lebanese capital.

Following the conversation, Macron outlined France’s position in a post on X, urging urgent action to prevent Lebanon from being drawn deeper into war.

“For Lebanon we must act. Everything must be done to prevent this country, so close to France, from once again being drawn into war,” Macron wrote. “The Lebanese have a right to peace and security—like everyone in the Middle East.”

Macron said his diplomatic efforts were aimed at halting the fighting along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

“It is to halt the war and prevent the worst that, following my exchanges with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I spoke today with Lebanon’s highest authorities in order to establish a plan to bring an end to the military operations currently being carried out by Hezbollah and Israel on either side of the border,” he wrote.

The French leader called on both sides to de-escalate.

“Hezbollah must immediately cease its fire toward Israel. Israel must refrain from any ground intervention or large-scale operation on Lebanese territory,” he said.

Macron added that Lebanese authorities had pledged to assert control over areas currently held by Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese authorities have given me their commitment to take control of the positions held by Hezbollah and to fully assume responsibility for security across the entire national territory. I give them my full support.”

France will increase its support for the Lebanese military, Macron said.

“France will strengthen its cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and will provide them with armored transport vehicles, as well as operational and logistical support.”

He also said French troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon would continue their mission in southern Lebanon.

Macron expressed concern over the growing humanitarian impact of the conflict, noting that tens of thousands of civilians were fleeing southern Lebanon.

“Concerned about the displacement of tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians currently fleeing the south, I have decided on the immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid for them,” he wrote. “Several tons of medicines are being transported, along with shelter solutions and assistance. This is a testament to the friendship the French feel toward the Lebanese.”

At what he described as “a moment of great danger,” Macron urged regional actors to avoid further escalation.

“I call on the Israeli prime minister not to expand the war to Lebanon,” he wrote. “I call on Iranian leaders not to further draw Lebanon into a war that is not its own.”

Macron also urged Hezbollah to change course.

“Hezbollah must renounce its weapons, respect the national interest, show that it is not a militia taking orders from abroad, and allow the Lebanese to come together to preserve their country.”