Macron on Gaza war: We must fight these "terrorist groups"
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During his solidarity visit to "Israel," French President Emmanuel Macron called on Iran and the Lebanese Resistance not to partake in the war.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron after a joint press conference in Occupied Al-Quds, Tuesday, Oct. 24 (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron of France has called for containing the scope of the war on Gaza, emphasizing that "the primary goal for his country is the release of the Israeli hostages."
"Our mission is to combat these terrorist groups," Macron said in "Tel Aviv" referring to the Palestinian resistance, adding that "The first goal we should have today is the release of all hostages held by Hamas."
#Palestinian emergency doctor Mohammed Ghunaim describes the ongoing situation in the al-Shifa Medical Complex in the #Gaza Strip as they are receiving casualties in large numbers amid scarce resources and intense Israeli aggression.#GazaUnderAttack #GazaGenocide… pic.twitter.com/nMzrMbU8n0
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 24, 2023
"We will do everything in our power to restore peace, security, and stability in Israel and the entire region," he added.
Macron assured the Israeli President that Frace won't leave "Israel" alone in the fight against "terrorism".
Earlier, before his meeting with Herzog, Macron expressed his solidarity with the occupation in a post on X: noting that 30 French citizens have been killed and 9 others are still missing.
Nous sommes liés à Israël par le deuil.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 24, 2023
Trente de nos compatriotes ont été assassinés le 7 octobre. Neuf autres sont encore portés disparus ou retenus en otage.
À Tel-Aviv, auprès de leurs familles, j'ai exprimé la solidarité de la Nation. pic.twitter.com/d62qT7e8US
In a press conference from occupied Al-Quds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron proposed the formation of a regional and international alliance to combat Hamas.
Macron added, "Hamas is a terrorist group, and we must fight it vigorously. We stand with Israel in the fight against terrorism, and I affirm Israel's right to self-defense."
He called on Iran and the Lebanese Resistance not to "threaten the region".
On his part, Netanyahu said, "If Hamas prevails, we will be in danger."
Read more: We don't want war with Lebanon: Israeli President
Earlier today, the daily Lebanese newspaper Annahar reported today that an Israeli strike against Lebanon is imminent, citing a French diplomat.
The French envoy said that Hezbollah's targeting of Israeli tanks and military positions in the occupied Shebaa farms makes an Israeli strike against Lebanon imminent.
"There is no longer any doubt that Israel will conduct a strike against Lebanon, but the date of the strike is unknown," the French diplomat said, framing the expected Israeli strike against Lebanon as being a "retaliation by Israel against Hezbollah".
Read more: French President Macron arrives in "Israel"
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
