French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza, emphasizing that there is “no justification” for the attacks and asserting that a ceasefire would be in Israel’s best interest. Macron acknowledged France’s condemnation of Hamas’ actions, labeling them as “terrorist,” but he underscored the need for Israel to cease its bombing activities in Gaza. While recognizing Israel’s right to self-defense, Macron called for an immediate end to the violence.
When questioned about whether he hoped other world leaders, including those from the United States and Britain, would join his plea for a ceasefire, Macron expressed his desire for their support.
Israel, engaged in a month-long conflict with Hamas, has faced increasing calls for restraint. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to Macron’s comments, argued that global leaders should be condemning Hamas instead of Israel. Netanyahu warned of the potential for similar actions by Hamas in different parts of the world.
Macron’s statements came following a humanitarian conference on Gaza in Paris, where the consensus among governments and agencies present was a call for a humanitarian pause leading to a ceasefire. Macron emphasized that protecting civilians uninvolved with terrorists was paramount and urged Israel to stop the bombings, citing the indiscriminate impact on innocent lives, including children, women, and the elderly.