Weeks after a deadly attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “solidarity” with Israel as shelling continued in the Gaza Strip.
“What happened will never be forgotten,” President Macron said on Tuesday, referring to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Jerusalem. “I came here to express solidarity.”
At a press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Macron added that France and Israel share a “common enemy” when it comes to defeating terrorism.
Macron’s visit comes more than two weeks after Hamas members stormed into Israel and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, including about 30 French nationals.
Israel has since relentlessly bombed Gaza, killing more than 5,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while preparing for a ground invasion of the blockaded area.
President Macron said stability in the Middle East would only be possible if Israel accepted a “political approach” to the conflict, and called on countries that fought the Islamic State group to unite again.
“France is ready for the international coalition against Daesh (ISIL), of which we are a part.” [in] Our operations in Iraq and Syria are also to fight Hamas,” Macron told Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The Israeli leader reiterated that Hamas would be destroyed in the continuing war and that no one would live “under Hamas tyranny” after the battle.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also warned that the war may take time.
“True peace process”
Macron became the latest Western leader to visit Israel, joining leaders of the United States, Britain, Germany and Italy.
He is also one of the few Western leaders scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reported from occupied East Jerusalem. Mr Fischer said Mr Macron hoped his visit could achieve something “concrete and positive”.
“[Macron] They arrive with what appears to be a four-point plan. He says all of these suggestions are as viable as possible. He wants to prevent escalation. He wants to free the remaining prisoners in Gaza. He wants guarantees of Israel’s security. And he wants to work towards a two-state solution,” the correspondent said.
Briefed by Macron’s office ahead of the visit, French news agency AFP said on Monday that the president was “protecting civilians” and “resuming military operations” in Gaza amid Israeli shelling of the besieged enclave. It was reported that a call would be made. A “genuine peace process” for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Elysee Palace told AFP that Mr Macron also called for much-needed aid to Gaza, where some 2.3 million people have been largely deprived of water, food, electricity, fuel and other basic supplies after an Israeli blockade. He said he would also call for a “humanitarian ceasefire” to allow it.
“Release all hostages”
Hamas also took more than 200 people hostage in the October 7 attack, some of whom were later released.
of French Ministry of Foreign Affairs He said seven nationals were still missing and confirmed that “some of them are Hamas hostages.”
“The first goal we must have today is to free all hostages without distinction. This is a toy with the lives of children, adults, the elderly, civilians and soldiers,” Macron said after a meeting with President Isaac Herzog. Because it’s a horrible crime.” on tuesday. He added that the campaign must be fought without “escalating the conflict”.
In Tel Aviv, President Macron also met with families of French and French-Israeli citizens who were killed or taken hostage.
Amid growing alarm over growing cross-border interactions between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, the French president says efforts will continue to “avoid dangerous escalation in the region”. The Elysée newspaper told AFP.
He will propose restarting a “genuine peace process” aimed at creating a viable Palestinian state in exchange for guarantees from regional powers for “Israel’s security.”
Macron is also likely to visit Lebanon and Egypt, French newspaper Le Parisien reported, citing diplomatic sources.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani warned that a dangerous escalation of the war in Gaza threatens the region and the world. He said he should stop the fighting and that he should not give Israel unconditional permission to kill.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella stressed in Rome on Tuesday the need to avoid an escalation of violence and work towards a common peaceful solution in the region.
upon Sundaythe leaders of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom emphasized their support for Israel and its right to defend itself, while also calling for compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
