The French president says he hopes other leaders, particularly those in Washington, will join him in his call for a ceasefire.
Israel must stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians, French President Emmanuel Macron told British media.
There was “no legitimacy” for the bombing, Macron told the BBC in an interview published Friday evening, adding that a ceasefire would benefit Israel.
“These babies, these ladies, these elderly people are being bombed and killed,” the French leader said. “So there is no reason for this,” he added. “We therefore urge Israel to stop,” he added.
He said France “clearly condemns” Hamas’ “terrorist” actions, but that while recognizing Israel’s right to protect itself, “we urge them to stop these bombings” in Gaza.
“I hope they will,” the French president said when asked if he wanted other leaders – notably in the United States and Britain – to join his calls for a ceasefire.
Washington has refused to back calls for a complete ceasefire, preferring to briefly pause the fighting to allow humanitarian aid.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which killed at least 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. Israel’s intense bombing and ground attacks on Gaza have since killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to health officials.
Israel faces growing calls for restraint, but has said Hamas would take advantage of a ceasefire to strengthen its positions.
In a statement responding to Macron’s comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said world leaders should condemn Hamas, not Israel.
“These crimes that Hamas is committing today in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, in New York and all over the world,” Netanyahu said.
Macron’s interview with the BBC was broadcast a day after a humanitarian conference on Gaza was held in Paris.
Macron said the “clear conclusion” of all governments and agencies present at this summit was “that there is no other solution than a humanitarian pause first, then a ceasefire” in order to protect the lives of “all civilians having nothing to do with the conflict”. The Terrorists”.
“De facto – today, civilians are being bombed – de facto. These babies, these ladies, these elderly people are bombed and killed. There is therefore no reason and no legitimacy for this. So we urge Israel to stop,” he said.
The United Nations and international rights groups have warned of the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, with the world body saying the lives of a million children ‘hang by a thread’ .
Since the start of the war, France has banned pro-Palestinian rallies and cracked down on those who took to the streets to protest the killing of civilians in Gaza.
