Amid the unprecedented war between Israel and Hamas, French President Macron landed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. According to the latest development, he has held a 'private meeting' with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem and condemned the killings of innocent people since the war escalated between the two nations.
In a tweet, Macron said he came to Israel to express solidarity with them, stating, "We and Israel are bound to each other in bonds of mourning."
Macron, during his meeting with Herzog, said at least 30 French citizens were deliberately killed by Hamas because of their "Jewish" religion and added he came to Jerusalem to express his solidarity with the families of those who lost their loved ones.
"These people were killed just because they were Jewish and because they want to live in peace. There should be the immediate release of hostages without any distinction," Jerusalem Post quoted Macron and added, "I want you to be sure that you are not left alone in this war against terrorism."
Macron calls for international coalition against Hamas
Alongside Macron, Netanyahu referred to Gaza as an "enclave of ISIS". "As in the Second World War, when the French supported the anti-Nazi resistance, today the international community is uniting in support of Israel. Hamas barbarism threatens the Jews, it threatens the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the world," he said.
Further, the French President called for an international coalition against the Islamic State to be expanded to fight Hamas after the devastating attack on Israel on October 7 that killed at least 1,400 people.
He also asserted that there must be a “decisive relaunch” of the Palestinian peace process following the Hamas atrocities and Israel’s declaration of war against the terror group.
“The fight must be without mercy, but not without rules because democracies respect the rules of war,” Macron said, adding that for example, democracies don’t target civilians. His statement appeared to be a message to Israel, which has been criticized by some for attacks that have killed Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The French President also met with families of hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, and said “we will neglect nothing” to obtain freedom for French citizens. Nine French citizens are being held or have disappeared.
(with agencies input)
