French President Emmanuel Macron recently made comments regarding the Israeli strikes in Gaza, which he later clarified in a phone call with Isaac Herzog, the Israeli President. Macron stated that he did not intend to accuse Israel of intentionally harming innocent civilians. This clarification came after his remarks in an interview with BBC that accused Israel of killing civilians in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Macron’s comments, calling them a “serious mistake, factually and morally.” After the phone call with Herzog, Macron reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defense and expressed his commitment to securing the release of hostages held in Gaza. He explained that his comments were made in reference to the humanitarian situation, and not to accuse Israel of deliberately targeting civilians.
During the phone call, Herzog reassured Macron that Israel was taking measures to prevent harm to uninvolved civilians and shifted the blame for civilian deaths on Hamas. Macron’s original comments on the situation in Gaza called for a humanitarian ceasefire to protect all civilians. He condemned the Hamas attack on Israel but also expressed concern for the civilians in Gaza who were being harmed.
Netanyahu responded to Macron’s comments by emphasizing Israel’s efforts to minimize harm to civilians. He urged Macron not to bow to pressure from those calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant number of casualties on both sides. Israel launched a military offensive in response to a Hamas attack, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Health officials in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave reported over 11,000 civilian casualties, with the majority being women and children. The situation has raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with medical facilities like al-Quds Hospital being forced to cease operations due to a fuel shortage and power outage amid Israeli attacks. The Palestine Red Crescent Society blamed the international community for neglecting the complete breakdown of Gaza’s healthcare system and the resulting dire humanitarian crisis.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to raise international concern, with leaders like Macron facing criticism for their comments on the situation. The need for a ceasefire and a lasting solution to protect civilians in Gaza remains a crucial goal for all parties involved. As the situation unfolds, efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and find a path to peace will require ongoing attention and dialogue.
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