French President Emmanuel Macron backed Lebanon’s “just” fight for security as Israel intensifies its ground and air offensive deep into southern Lebanon, warning that Beirut alone must manage its internal problems and that nothing justifies violations of its territorial integrity or sovereignty. His remarks come as Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich urged annexation of southern Lebanon up to the Litani, and as Israeli forces expand operations and strikes that have drawn mounting international concern over civilian harm and regional escalation. Watch for more