French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to precise his nation’s “full solidarity” with Israel after the Oct. 7 incursion by Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
His go to comes greater than two weeks after the Hamas incursion and subsequent Israeli bombing marketing campaign on Gaza.
Greater than 5,000 Palestinians, most of them girls and kids, have died throughout Israel’s assaults, in comparison with 1,400 Israeli casualties, of whom 30 have been French residents.
Macron was as a result of meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to precise France’s “full solidarity” with Israel after that assault, the French presidency stated.
He was additionally anticipated to name for the “preservation of the civilian inhabitants” in Gaza, amid Israel’s relentless bombardment, and because it prepares for a floor invasion of the overcrowded Palestinian enclave.
Macron will particularly name for a “humanitarian truce” to permit desperately wanted assist into Gaza, whose 2.4 million folks have been largely disadvantaged of water, meals, electrical energy and different primary provides after an Israeli blockade, the Elysee Palace stated.
Macron and Netanyahu have been as a result of maintain a joint press convention at 1 p.m. (10 a.m. GMT).
The French head of state was additionally as a result of meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in addition to opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid in Jerusalem.
And in Tel Aviv, he was as a result of meet the households of French and French-Israeli nationals killed within the Hamas assault or being held hostage in Gaza.
Seven French residents are nonetheless lacking: One in every of them, a French lady, has been confirmed as among the many greater than 200 folks Israel says have been taken hostage by Hamas.
Macron has stated the others are additionally regarded as hostages, however there has not but been affirmation.
The French president additionally goals to proceed efforts “to keep away from a harmful escalation within the area,” the Elysee stated, amid rising alarm over swelling cross-border exchanges between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Macron will suggest relaunching a “true peace course of,” with the intention of making a viable Palestinian state in trade for ensures from regional powers in the direction of “Israel’s safety.”
There may even most likely be exchanges with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, and leaders of Gulf nations, the Elysee stated.
U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have already visited Israel.