During a telephone conversation with the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattá al Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged his country’s commitment to humanitarian aid and medical support for the people of Gaza Strip. The Israeli military offensive continues in the region, and France is prepared to receive sick or injured Palestinian children in its hospitals. To support this effort, Macron announced that a new plane with ten tons of medical material will be sent to the area, and a second medical ship will be deployed to provide further assistance.
Macron emphasized the importance of finding urgent solutions to the current crisis and acting to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered safely. He called for international cooperation to fight terrorism and stressed the need for an immediate humanitarian truce that leads to a ceasefire. Aligning with Al Sisi, Macron also highlighted the importance of launching a comprehensive political process to achieve a just solution for the Palestinian cause based on the two-state solution.
In addition to medical aid and humanitarian efforts, Macron stated that releasing hostages held by Hamas is a priority for France. This comes after an attack by Hamas on October 7th left nearly 1200 dead and some 240 kidnapped. The situation has escalated, with thousands of deaths reported primarily in Gaza Strip, Palestinians dying at the hands of Israeli security forces and settlers in West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Overall, Macron’s statement highlights France’s commitment to supporting Palestinians affected by conflict while emphasizing the need for immediate action and international cooperation towards achieving a just solution for their cause.