War: French President seeks immediate, lasting ceasefire in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated France’s call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

Macron made this appeal during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a French presidency statement, Macron expressed his solidarity with the Israeli people following the attack launched by Iran against Israel on the night of April 13-14.

The French president “reiterated his firm opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, which would only aggravate an already catastrophic situation in Gaza and increase the risks of escalation.”

He also spoke of the absolute urgency of guaranteeing a massive influx of humanitarian aid through all access points to the Gaza Strip and emphasised France’s commitment to an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

He reiterated that the two-state solution is the only way to ensure lasting peace in the Middle East.

Macron held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to discuss the Middle East situation on the same day.