France’s Macron Urges Israel to Halt Civilian Bombings in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Israel to cease bombing civilians, including women and children, in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Speaking after the Paris Peace Forum, Macron emphasized the unanimous conclusion among governments and agencies that a humanitarian pause leading to a ceasefire is the only solution.

While acknowledging Israel’s security concerns and condemning the October 7 Hamas attack, Macron stressed that there is no justification for ongoing bombings affecting innocent civilians in Gaza. He urged Israel to stop and emphasized the importance of recognizing that all lives matter, adding that large-scale bombings create resentment and prolong the conflict.

In response, Israel asserted that countries should condemn Hamas rather than the Jewish state, emphasizing that the crimes committed by Hamas in Gaza could potentially occur elsewhere in the world.