Emmanuel Macron spoke this Sunday, May 5, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He asked him to “complete” negotiations with Hamas for a truce in Gaza.
“France fully supports the ongoing mediation efforts” with a view to a truce in Gaza, assures the Élysée this Sunday, May 5 in a press release. The Palace announces that a telephone interview was organized between Emmanuel Macron and Benjamin Netanyahu. All in a double context of negotiations for a truce and the threat of an offensive on Rafah.
“The destiny of the Palestinians in Gaza cannot be subjected any longer to the terrorist activities of Hamas and Israeli operations must stop,” the President of the Republic demanded from his counterpart.
An encouragement “to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion”
During this exchange, the Head of State asked the Israeli Prime Minister to “complete these negotiations which could lead to the release of hostages, the protection of civilians through a ceasefire and regional de-escalation “, while Hamas and Israel accuse each other of blocking a truce.
France also reiterated its “firm opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah”, once again emphasizing the humanitarian emergency in the Gaza Strip, according to this press release.
Last refuge of Palestinians, Rafah threatened by the Israeli offensive
For his part, Benjamin Netanyhu assured that the army would enter Rafah “with or without agreement” “in order to obtain a complete victory over Hamas”. An assault feared by many countries, in an area where hundreds of thousands of survivors have died in recent months.
Anne-Saurat Dubois with Tom Kerkour
