Wasn’t France was upset when Israel bombed French gas stations in Labenon?

Introduction

Yes, France was indeed upset when Israel bombed French-owned gas stations in Lebanon. This incident occurred in early October 2024 and caused significant tension between France and Israel. Here are the key points regarding this situation:

The Incident

Israeli forces targeted a gas station owned by the French company TotalEnergies in the southern suburb of Beirut. This attack resulted in a large fire at the station, requiring urgent intervention from firefighting and civil defense teams.

Reasons for the Attack

The bombing was seen as retaliation for France’s stance on halting arms supplies to Israel. This attack followed a diplomatic dispute between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

French Reaction

France’s response to this incident was one of concern and disapproval:

A French diplomatic source stated that they were “closely monitoring the situation and conducting intensive contacts with all parties to de-escalate tensions”.

The same source emphasized that “targeting French economic interests is a serious escalation that cannot be ignored”.

Broader Context

This incident occurred against the backdrop of:

Escalating tensions in the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October 2023.

Criticism from President Macron regarding Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

France’s decision to halt arms supplies to Israel, which further strained French-Israeli relations.

Conclusion

The attack on French-owned facilities put the French government in a difficult position, forcing it to balance between protecting its economic interests and maintaining its role as a potential mediator in the conflict. This incident also raised fears of further escalation in the region and expansion of the conflict.