Macron demands 'lasting ceasefire' in Gaza during call with Netanyahu
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The French President insists on the importance of measures to end violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
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French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel (unseen) at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, on December 20, 2023. (Photo by Christophe Ena / POOL / AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron demanded a "lasting ceasefire" in Gaza during a call with Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, his office said.
"France will work in the coming days in cooperation with Jordan to carry out humanitarian operations in Gaza," the French presidency mentioned in a statement.
Macron, an ally of Netanyahu since the start of the aggression on Gaza on October 7, told the Israeli premier of his "deepest concern" about civilian deaths and the humanitarian emergency in Gaza.
He also insisted on the importance of measures to end violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank and prevent new planned settlements.
In a phone conversation in early December, the French President urged Netanyahu to open a major crossing to deliver much-needed aid into the Gaza Strip.
The "Kerem Shalom" checkpoint was responsible for 60% of goods getting into the besieged Strip before the start of the Israeli aggression.
Macron also spoke of "the need to protect civilians in Gaza and stressed the importance of achieving a lasting ceasefire," said the Elysee.
He added that "Israel must take the necessary measures to put an end to the violence committed by settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank."
Macron called for "redoubled efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire," following the end of an initial week-long truce that saw a prisoners exchange deal between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation.
He also urged "Israel" to clarify its objective to "destroy Hamas", warning it could take "10 years" of war to achieve.
Read more: Xi, Macron agree avoiding further deterioration in Gaza is paramount
