French President Emmanuel Macron, in an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, has called for an end to the bombing in Gaza, emphasizing that there is “no justification” for the killing of babies and women. While recognizing Israel’s right to self-defense, Macron urged Israel to halt the airstrikes in Gaza, stating that a ceasefire would be in Israel’s best interest. Macron also reiterated France’s condemnation of Hamas’s “terrorist” actions.
Macron’s call for a ceasefire comes after a month of Israeli bombardment in Gaza, with thousands of casualties and a significant displacement of civilians. Israel maintains that it targets military sites and takes precautions to minimize civilian casualties.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged nations to condemn Hamas rather than Israel and warned of the global threat posed by the group. Macron emphasized the need to protect all civilians, regardless of their affiliation, and highlighted the importance of humanitarian assistance and a ceasefire to achieve that goal.
The interview also covered other global issues, including concerns about violence spilling over from the Middle East into France, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, challenges of online extremism, and the link between climate change and terrorism. Macron called for unity against antisemitism and emphasized the need for international cooperation to address pressing global challenges.