France's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot will visit Lebanon on Thursday in a move the French foreign ministry says demonstrates support and solidarity with the Lebanese people amid escalating regional violence.

The visit comes after the European Union urged Israel to halt its military strikes on Lebanon. French officials said the trip is intended to show backing for Lebanese civilians caught in a conflict they did not choose.

Lebanon became involved in the broader Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel following the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with extensive strikes that local authorities say have killed at least 968 people and displaced more than one million, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants in the toll.