French President Emmanuel Macron called on Friday for a “humanitarian truce” in the war between Israel and Hamas to “organize the protection” of civilian populations in the Gaza Strip, saying that the Israeli response must “better target” the “terrorists “.
“A humanitarian truce is useful today”
“We fully recognize the right and the legitimate desire to fight against terrorism. We are ready to provide our assistance. But we consider that the complete blockade, the indiscriminate bombardment and even more the prospect of a massive land operation are not likely to adequately protect civilian populations,” he declared during a press conference following a European summit in Brussels.
“A humanitarian truce is useful today to be able to protect those who are on the ground, who have suffered bombings,” said the head of state. It went beyond the joint declaration of the leaders of the twenty-seven countries of the European Union, who, after bitter semantic negotiations, had requested “breaks” to facilitate humanitarian aid. Seeming to deplore this “very long debate”, Emmanuel Macron insisted on the need for “a humanitarian truce to protect the populations”, negotiate the release of the hostages, “resolve the problem of hospitals which is very complicated”. According to the French president, the Israeli response must “better target useful action against terrorists”.
An idea of an “international coalition” to fight against Hamas
“It is essential that the distinction be made from the start, very clearly, with civilian populations. Otherwise, the risk is that of conflagration, of confusion of minds. And paradoxically, I think that it is also very counterproductive for the security of Israel,” he pleaded. Emmanuel Macron, who had raised during a tour of the Middle East on Tuesday and Wednesday the idea of an “international coalition” to fight against Hamas like what exists against the jihadist group Islamic State, explained that he would propose to France’s “partners” a meeting “to structure this initiative”.
France also wants to evacuate its nationals in the Gaza Strip, besieged and bombed by Israel, “as quickly as possible,” the president announced. According to Paris, around fifty French people are currently in Gaza, but counting the families and agents of the French institute on site, this brings to 170 the number of people for whom France wants to ensure protection.
“We want to evacuate them as soon as possible. This is what we are organizing with both the Palestinian authorities and Egypt. And this is what several other European countries wish to do in coordination with us,” he said.