Report: Paris warns South clashes may endanger entire Lebanon

Lebanese officials have received warnings from France over the past hours, al-Joumhouria newspaper quoted “credible sources” as saying.

“France fears greatly for Lebanon, especially that the Lebanese south region has become closer than ever to descending into harsh confrontations that would endanger the rest of the country,” the sources said.

“Lebanon must exert effort to avoid” such an escalation, the sources added.

The Nidaa al-Watan newspaper meanwhile quoted reports as saying that "France is actually preparing for the mission of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein for the implementation of Resolution 1701 in return for a withdrawal from Kfarshouba, Ghajar and the Shebaa Farms."

"It is a partner in this settlement and it is seeking to secure its success," the reports said.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, the frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen intensifying exchanges of fire, mainly between Israel and Hezbollah, but also Palestinian groups.

More than 110 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, mostly Hezbollah fighters and more than a dozen civilians, according to an AFP tally, since fighting began in October. On the Israeli side, six soldiers and three civilians have been killed, Israeli authorities have said.