France supports Israel and deploys military means to support the Jewish state against Iran. But the army is also providing reinforcement more broadly in the crisis.
The war in the Middle East has direct impacts on French military policy. Iran’s second attack on Israel in the space of six months has required some important decisions from the Quay d’Orsay and the Elysée in recent hours. This Wednesday, at the end of a Defense Council, the Presidency of the Republic published a press release to announce that Paris had “mobilized its military resources in the Middle East” to help Israel face the missile attack ballistics on its territory on Tuesday.
Emmanuel Macron publicly and almost immediately “condemned” the attack claimed by Iran on the Jewish state and demanded that “Hezbollah cease its terrorist actions against Israel and its population”. The French head of state also, at the same time, urged Israel to “put an end as quickly as possible” to its “military operations” in Lebanon to begin a de-escalation in the conflict which threatens the entire region. The French president, who intends to act in the coming days so that all parties involved find a rapid solution towards a ceasefire, also intends for French nationals to be protected: he asked the ministries of the armed forces and foreign affairs that ” all necessary measures be taken” to “assist them, and if necessary, come to their aid”.
The French general staff informed AFP on Tuesday that an amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) of the French Navy had been deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, due to the “deterioration of the situation” in Lebanon. This amphibious ship is equipped with helicopters and an “on-board battle group” in the event of evacuation of French nationals from Lebanon
A La Fayette-type frigate must also go there this week to strengthen the French presence there. According to information from JDD, which relies on a leading military source, the French army would be ready to “consider sending other ships”. “If circumstances require it, we must be ready to mobilize other means near the area of operation,” this senior officer told the newspaper.