Israel should “refrain” from sending in forces to take control of a zone in south Lebanon, France’s foreign minister tells AFP, warning such a move will have “major humanitarian consequences”.

“We urge the Israeli authorities to refrain from such ground operations, which would have major humanitarian consequences and would exacerbate the country’s already dire situation,” Jean-Noel Barrot says.

Israel has said its military will take control of south Lebanon up to the Litani River, around 30 kilometres from the border.