Macron urges Netanyahu to halt attacks on Gaza

Macron called for an end to the strikes in Gaza to restore the ceasefire and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid.

PARIS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, urging Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza.

In the evening, Macron announced on social media platform X that he had spoken with Netanyahu, calling for an end to the strikes on Gaza to restore the ceasefire and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid.

"We will continue to work on the Arab reconstruction plan and on the essential return to a political horizon based on the two-state solution, which alone can bring peace and security to both peoples," Macron stated. He emphasized that "any forced displacement or annexation would run counter to this perspective."

At the same time, Macron reaffirmed that the release of all hostages and the guarantee of Israel's security remain priorities for France.

He also urged Israel to strictly adhere to the ceasefire it had committed to in Lebanon. "This demand is addressed to all parties," he noted.

Macron added that the monitoring mechanism must be strengthened to fully restore Lebanon's sovereignty, which includes a "complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory." ■