French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Israel for meetings with top Israeli officials. In Jerusalem, Macron told Israeli President Isaac Herzog he stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Israel and pledged France’s “full support” for Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Macron urged Israel to avoid what he called “a dangerous escalation in the region.” Herzog said he also wanted to avoid a wider war, but said Israel stood ready to attack Lebanon if Hezbollah continues cross-border assaults.

President Isaac Herzog: “I want to make clear: We are not looking for a confrontation in our northern border or with anyone else. We have focused on destroying Hamas infrastructure and bringing our citizens back home. But if Hezbollah will drag us into war, it should be clear that Lebanon will pay the price.”

French media report Macron will head to Lebanon and Egypt next. His visit to Israel comes a day after some European Union foreign ministers endorsed a “humanitarian pause” of Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

In Washington, D.C., President Biden on Monday ruled out U.S. support for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza while Hamas continues to hold hostages. His remarks came as the Pentagon dispatched military advisers and high-tech air defense systems to Israel ahead of Israel’s expected ground assault on Gaza.