Emmanuel Macron reiterates his demand for a “lasting ceasefire” in Gaza during a call with Benjamin Netanyahu

The President of the Republic informed Benjamin Netanyahu of “his deepest concern” regarding the number of civilian victims of the Israeli military operation and the “absolute humanitarian emergency” observed in the Gaza Strip.

Diplomacy to temper the Israeli military response to Gaza. Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Elysée announced in a press release on Wednesday December 27.

The head of state has “once again affirmed France’s attachment to the security of Israel”after the deadly attacks committed by Palestinian Hamas on October 7, begins by recalling the press release. “The release of all the hostages”of whom nearly 140 are still detained by the Islamist movement according to the Israeli authorities, is also “a priority for France”underlined Emmanuel Macron to Benyamin Netanyahu.

However, the press release indicates that the President of the Republic informed the Israeli Prime Minister of “its deepest concern at the very heavy civilian death toll and the absolute humanitarian emergency faced by the civilian population of Gaza”. A situation which pushed the WHO to sound the alarm once again on the same day, in the face of “terrible injuries”has there “acute hunger” and at “serious risk of disease” from which the population of the Gaza Strip suffers.

Soon humanitarian operations linked to Jordan

Emmanuel Macron reminded the Israeli leader “the imperative to protect civilians”, “the urgency of delivering the necessary aid to the population of Gaza, as well as the need to work towards a lasting ceasefire”. “France will work in the coming days, in conjunction with Jordan, to carry out humanitarian operations in Gaza”adds the Elysée press release.

The head of state also asked Israel “to take all necessary measures to put an end to the violence committed by certain settlers against Palestinian civilians, as well as to any new colonization project in the West Bank”. Violence that could endanger “the two-state solution, the only viable solution to ensure the long-term security of Israel and meet the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians”estimates the Elysée.

For his part, Benjamin Netanyahu “thanked” France for its “defense of freedom of navigation” And “for his willingness to help restore security along Israel’s border with Lebanon”, indicated his services in Jerusalem. The Israeli Prime Minister also “update” Emmanuel Macron on the latest developments in the war in Gaza and on the “efforts to bring back the hostages”.