In an interview, Herzog said “Europe should support any effort… to eradicate Hezbollah,” while also welcoming diplomatic initiatives, including an offer by Emmanuel Macron to host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.

The Israeli military said its troops had begun “limited and targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, describing the campaign as part of broader defensive efforts to dismantle infrastructure and neutralize threats to northern Israel.

The operations followed intensified air and artillery strikes in border areas. Military chief Eyal Zamir said more than 400 Hezbollah fighters had been killed in the latest phase of fighting.

Lebanon’s government said more than one million people had been displaced within two weeks of fighting. Authorities reported that Israeli strikes since March 2 had killed 886 people, including 111 children, according to state figures.

The conflict widened after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel on March 2, citing retaliation for the killing of Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes. Israel has since responded with extensive air raids and troop incursions.

Hezbollah said it fired rockets and drones at northern Israel, including the city of Nahariya, where emergency services reported injuries and property damage.

Regional and international concern has grown over the potential for further escalation. Turkey condemned Israel’s ground operations, warning of worsening instability and the risk of a humanitarian crisis.Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom said a large-scale Israeli offensive could have severe humanitarian consequences and lead to a prolonged conflict.

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said displaced Lebanese civilians should not return to areas south of the Litani River until security conditions for northern Israel residents improve, as the military signalled operations would continue as needed.

Macron said the deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle along with eight warships and two helicopter carriers is strictly “defensive” and designed to protect French nationals and regional partners without making France a direct party to the conflict.

The deployment comes after a French soldier was killed in a drone attack near Irbil in northern Iraq, where French forces are training Iraqi units as part of a multinational counterterrorism mission.

France has also strengthened its air presence in the United Arab Emirates, doubling the number of Rafale fighter jets at its base in Abu Dhabi to 12. French authorities said Rafale jets have intercepted drones targeting the UAE since the conflict began.

France maintains defense agreements with Gulf states including Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, and also has forces deployed in Jordan and Iraq. Officials say the naval presence will help respond to emergencies and facilitate the evacuation of French nationals if needed. France has more than 400,000 citizens living in the Middle East, including large communities in Israel and the UAE.

Alongside the military buildup, Macron has intensified diplomatic outreach. He has spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and urging de-escalation.

France is also attempting to mediate tensions in Lebanon, where clashes between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah have intensified. Paris, which maintains troops in the UN peacekeeping mission there, has sent humanitarian aid and continues to support the Lebanese military.

Macron said on the social media platform X that he had spoken with Iraq’s prime minister a day after the attack and welcomed Baghdad’s commitment to investigate the incident and strengthen protection for foreign forces stationed in the country.

“Yesterday, I spoke with the Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani,” Macron wrote. “I thank him for his commitment to getting to the bottom of this attack and to strengthening measures to protect our forces, who are present in Iraq to fight, alongside the Iraqis, against the scourge of terrorism.”

French forces are deployed in Iraq as part of international efforts supporting Iraqi security forces in combating militant groups.

In a separate message on Saturday, Macron said France was ready to facilitate ceasefire discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Paris, signalling diplomatic engagement as tensions between Israel and the Iran-aligned Lebanese group Hezbollah continue to escalate.

Macron said Lebanese leaders were open to direct discussions with Israel and urged Israel to “seize this opportunity to launch ceasefire discussions, to find a lasting solution and to allow the Lebanese authorities to put in place their engagements for Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The French president called on Israel to halt its offensive and urged Hezbollah to stop its actions, warning that continued hostilities risk pushing Lebanon into deeper instability.

“Everything must be done to stop Lebanon from descending into chaos,” Macron said.

France has historically maintained close political and economic ties with Lebanon and has frequently positioned itself as a diplomatic intermediary in crises involving the Mediterranean state.