Gantz and Macron had a meeting - what did the French president talk about?

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to avoid escalation, “especially in Lebanon,” following a strike attributed to Israel that killed Hamas' deputy leader in Beirut.

This was reported at the Elysee Palace.

Macron, who spoke by phone with Israeli minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz, said it was “very important to avoid any escalation, especially in Lebanon” and that France would continue to convey these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the conflict.

Benny Gantz also issued a statement following his conversation with Macron, saying the minister expressed his gratitude to Macron for France's commitment to Israel's security, stability in the region and its important involvement in efforts to free the hostages.

The statement also noted that they discussed "the continuation of the campaign in Gaza, the need for international efforts against Lebanon and other regional aspects."

Recall that Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri was killed in a strike attributed to Israel in a Beirut suburb on Tuesday evening. His killing was reported by a Palestinian militant group and Lebanese security officials.

Israel regularly strikes Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, along its shared border with Lebanon, but Arouri's killing marked the first time since the start of the Gaza war that it has targeted the Lebanese capital.

After the strike, Hezbollah vowed that Arouri's death would not go “unpunished,” calling it “a serious attack on Lebanon... and a dangerous development in the war.”