How to prevent war in Lebanon ?

France can play an "important" role in Lebanon to prevent an escalation of regional tensions amid almost daily exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, said the Israeli Foreign Minister during a meeting with his French counterpart.

"There is still a possibility to prevent war in Lebanon. If the international community cannot achieve this, we will have no choice but to take matters into our own hands," warned Eli Cohen after a meeting with Catherine Colonna in Tel Aviv. "France can play a positive and significant role" in preventing war, he added.

The situation in Lebanon has been increasingly fragile, with ongoing clashes between Hezbollah, a Shiite political and militant group in Lebanon, and the Israeli military. These skirmishes have raised concerns about the potential for a broader conflict in the region.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been a major player in Lebanese politics and has a powerful armed wing. The group has clashed with Israel in the past and is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and several Western countries.

France has historical ties with Lebanon and has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts in the region. The French government has expressed its concern about the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon and has called for a de-escalation of tensions.

Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna's visit to Israel and her discussions with Israeli officials reflect France's commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Lebanon. France, along with other international actors, has an important role to play in preventing further escalation and supporting stability in the region.

The international community is closely monitoring developments in Lebanon, and diplomatic efforts are ongoing to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. France's involvement and its diplomatic engagement with Israel and other stakeholders could potentially contribute to defusing tensions and finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.