PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for an end to fighting in Gaza, saying France gave its “full support” to mediation efforts in the war between Israel and Hamas.
“The war in Gaza must end,” Macron wrote on X. “This must be clear to everyone.”
An end to hostilities was “crucial for the people of Gaza, for the hostages and for the stability of the region, which is at stake today.”
On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel had agreed to resume ceasefire talks in Gaza on August 15 at the request of US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have been trying to secure a second ceasefire in the 10-month-old war sparked by Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.
The three countries invited the warring parties to resume talks in Doha or Cairo “to close all remaining gaps and begin implementation of the agreement without further delay.”
Macron also spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Friday, his office said.
The three leaders called on all parties “to end at all costs this logic of retaliation that risks setting the region on fire to the detriment of all,” a statement from the Elysee Palace said.
The statement called for “a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip without further delay, to free all hostages, protect the people of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid on a large scale.”
Macron “also welcomed the diplomatic efforts led by Egypt and Qatar in cooperation with the United States,” his office added.
Macron also discussed the crisis with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the two leaders “expressed their deepest concern about the rising tensions in the region,” the Elysee Palace said.
Macron and Starmer supported the statement by the United States, Egypt and Qatar on the swift resumption of ceasefire negotiations and the release of the hostages, Macron's office added.
