In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the suffering of Gaza’s civilians “must end” and urged the opening of all humanitarian aid crossings, France Info reports.
Macron wrote on X that providing access to aid was a “vital necessity”, referring to his recent visit to El-Arish in Egypt – a key hub for aid shipments – and saying that “this assistance is blocked on the other side of the border. It must reach civilians as fast as possible.”
The French president also repeated his call for a ceasefire as the only way to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
Netanyahu rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, calling it “a huge reward for terrorism,” according to a statement from his office.
Macron has recently pushed for coordinated international recognition of both Israel and Palestine as Paris and Riyadh will co-host a UN-led diplomatic initiative in New York in June to promote a two-state solution.
