A French naval ship set sail on Monday from southeastern France to position itself off the Lebanese coast as a precautionary measure in case it needs to evacuate its nationals, according to the French Armed Forces General Staff. The source specified that the French amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA), which will take “5 to 6 days” to reach the eastern Mediterranean region from the port of Toulon, is equipped with helicopters and a “combat group” that will be mobilized if needed to evacuate French citizens.
A senior official from the General Staff said, “We are enhancing our resources to deal with the deteriorating situation,” but did not specify the ship’s name. France has three amphibious helicopter carriers: Mistral, Dixmude, and Tonnerre. These ships, weighing 21,500 tons and measuring 199 meters in length, function as “floating harbors” that can accommodate hundreds of people.
In Lebanon, there are approximately 23,000 French or Franco-Lebanese residents. The French Embassy has set up a telephone response cell that operates throughout the week, as stated by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barou on Monday during his visit to Beirut. Israel, which informed the United States on Monday of its intent to conduct “limited” ground operations targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to the U.S. State Department, has established a “closed military zone” around three areas in northern Lebanon on the border with Israel.
The current tensions between Israel and Lebanon have escalated, primarily driven by the dynamics involving Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah has been active along the Israel-Lebanon border, engaging in hostilities by launching rockets and artillery into northern Israel. These military actions have led to civilian casualties on both sides and increased the risk of a broader conflict.
The Lebanese domestic situation has also been severely strained. Lebanon has been grappling with multiple crises, including a severe financial crisis, widespread corruption, and political paralysis. The continuous tension with Israel exacerbates these challenges, putting further strain on Lebanon’s already fragile state.
The international response includes heightened military readiness, with additional US troops and attack aircraft deployed to the Middle East in light of the situation. This deployment aims to deter further escalation and ensure the security of US interests in the region.
