A group of French diplomats are concerned that France would lose its influence in Lebanon and other Middle East countries because of its sometimes controversial statements over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The diplomats penned a highly unusual joint memorandum deploring what they allege is a pro-Israeli bias from President Emmanuel Macron.

The U.N. humanitarian chief has said that he and Iran's top diplomat had discussed fears of what an expansion of the Gaza war might entail, and had agreed it "would not be good".

At a Geneva press briefing, United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths voiced deep concern Israel's war against Hamas could expand beyond Gaza, "into the north".

Germany's interior minister on Thursday announced raids in seven of the country's regions on an Islamist association suspected of links to Lebanon's Hezbollah.

"At a time when numerous Jews feel particularly threatened" Germany will "not tolerate neither Islamist propaganda nor anti-Semitist incitement hostile to Israel," Nancy Faeser said, adding that the police raids targeted the Hamburg Islamic Centre and five affiliated groups.

Lebanon's military tribunal has released a man accused of killing an Irish United Nations peacekeeper almost a year ago on bail, security and judicial officials said.

The development comes as UNIFIL, the U.N.'s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, monitors ongoing clashes along the border between Hezbollah and Israeli troops.

Israeli drones and artillery bombed Wednesday several southern towns including Markaba, Rab Tlatine, al-Khiyam, Tayr Harfa, al-Jebbayn, Yarine, Blida, Kfarkela, Jabal Blat, Aita al-Shaab, Yaroun, Houla, al-Labbouneh, Marwahine, Rmeish, Odeisseh, al-Bustan, al-Naqoura, Mays al-Jabal, Kfarshouba and al-Dhaira.

Hezbollah for its parts targeted several Israeli posts including the Ramim barracks, the Rwaisat al-Alam post on the occupied Shebaa Farms, Berket Risha, Jabal al-Tiyarat, and Jal al-Alam, "inflicting casualties", amid reports of a volley of rockets launched from Lebanon, which activated alert sirens in Kiryat Shmona, Margaliot and Misgav Am. These Israeli towns have been largely evacuated of civilians. Israeli reports said the volley of rockets has landed in open areas in the Kiryat Shmona region.

The Lebanese file has been put on the front burner after the United States reactivated its role in the region in light of the raging Israel-Hamas war, a media report said on Wednesday.

Moreover, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein’s latest visit to Beirut was not only aimed at keeping Lebanon away from what is happening in Gaza, but also reflected “a key side of the U.S. administration’s approach in terms of putting Lebanon’s file on the front burner,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

Hezbollah is not eager to ramp up its hostilities against Israel, the Russian foreign minister has said.

Moscow does not believe that Iran, Lebanon or Hezbollah want the Israel-Palestine war to escalate into a broader regional conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told Russia’s RT television.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed the need for a two-state solution as "Palestinians cannot remain without a state."

In a meeting Wednesday with United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, Geagea said that the border skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah in the south do not serve anyone, "especially Lebanon and its people."

Lebanese political parties are trying to come up with a solution before Army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun's planned retirement in January.

Aoun's retirement would add another gap to crisis-hit Lebanon's withering and paralyzed institutions.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro on Tuesday met with Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, ahead of the Security Council’s consultations on Resolution 1701 (2006).

"I expressed my deep concern about the situation in the south, and the potential for wider and more intensive hostilities," Lázaro said in a statement.