TRANSCRIPT
French President Emmanuel Macron is calling on other countries to halt arms shipments to Israel, especially those used in Gaza.
In New York last week, Mr Macron met with US President Joe Biden where they endorsed a ceasefire text for Lebanon, but then Israel began land operations there, striking the nation's south and Beirut, killing hundreds.
"I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu made another choice and took on this responsibility, in particular land operations on Lebanese soil. And so, yes, if we call for a ceasefire, what’s consistent is not to provide weapons of war. And I think that those who supply them cannot call for a ceasefire every day and continue to supply them.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Mr Macron's call for a halt on arms shipments is uncivilised.
"As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side. Yet, President Macron and some other western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them. Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. This axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace! Let me tell you this, Israel will win with or without their support."
Mr Netanyahu says Israel will retaliate against Iran for its attacks, most recently on the 1st of October when more than 180 ballistic missiles were fired by Iran at military targets in Israel.
"Iran has twice launched hundreds of missiles into our territory, in one of the largest ballistic missile attacks in history. No country in the world would accept such an attack on its cities and citizens, and nor will Israel. Israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and respond to these attacks, and it will do so."
Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election, says Israel should strike Iran's nuclear facilities, something President Biden has warned Israel against doing.
"That's the thing you want to hit, right? I said, I think he's got that one wrong. Isn't that the one you're supposed to hit? ... Hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later. And that's what they should, if they're going to do it, if they're going to do it, they're going to do it. But we'll find out whatever their plans are."
Meanwhile in Lebanon, Israeli strikes continue rocking the country's south and its capital, Beirut, as Israel targets Hezbollah strongholds, its leadership and fighters.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari provides an update.
"We are pushing Hezbollah further north. Some of the terrorists escaped and some are falling in face-to-face battles with our fighters. From the beginning of the operation, the forces eliminated from the ground and from the air about 440 terrorists, of which 30 were commanders of various ranks."
He says the Israeli Defence Force has also struck Hezbollah in Dahiyeh.
"The ground operation is accompanied by dozens of air strikes that are continuing now throughout Lebanon, including in Beirut. Yesterday we attacked the main intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in the heart of Dahiyeh. We are still checking the results of the attack and will update later."
Lebanon's Minister of Information Ziad Makary says the attacks have cost Lebanon and its people dearly.
"Israel is hitting Lebanon everyday, day and night. They are destroying Beirut, They already destroyed a lot of villages in the south. They already killed 2,000 civilians. We have 10,000 injured people, 1,200,000 displaced people inside Lebanon."
He says it's hoped a peace deal can be reached soon.
"As you know, the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah destroyed everything that was being prepared in New York [[in terms of ceasefire agreement]]. So now we are in a new situation, a dramatic situation, and despite everything, we are still asking for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinian health ministry has posted on Facebook that over the past day, Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in the death of 23 people and the injury of 66 others.
On the 7th of October last year Hamas militants crossed from Gaza into Israel, launching attacks that resulted in the death of 1,200 people, and took around 240 others hostage.
More than 41,800 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 97,000 injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza since.
This comes as a charter plane carrying Australians out of Lebanon landed in Cyprus, part of the large scale operation to evacuate citizens out of the country.
The civilians of all ages have been escorted to waiting coaches next to the terminal as they await later connecting flights back home to Australia.
One of the evacuees, sixteen year old Leah Lucas, has said the experience of fleeing Lebanon has not been an easy one.
"While we were sitting in the airplane just before takeoff there was a lot of bombing, like around 500 meters next to the airport, and as we were about to take off we heard a lot of bombing. So it was so scary, you know there was a lot of kids frightened. But thank God like we know we're out of that place now."
Arrangements are being made to fly the group on to Australia, though this evacuee - 37 year old Elias Abdel Khalil, says some hope to go back when the fighting has stopped.
"We came here for more peace. Hoping to go back soon when there is no more war. Thank you."
