France has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the conflict in Lebanon after Israel launched a major cross-border attack. World leaders and charities have urged Israel to show restraint following reports of civilian casualties. The European Union's foreign policy chief warned that the situation was almost a fully-fledged war. Israel maintains that its strikes are aimed at taking out Hezbollah weapons hidden in homes. The United States is discussing 'concrete ideas' with allies and partners to stop the war from broadening.