Gaza conference in France… Macron’s call for a ‘pause in hostilities’

French President Emmanuel Macron said at the “International Humanitarian Conference for Civilians in Gaza” in Paris: “The situation in Gaza is serious and worsening every day. “It is necessary to immediately put a humanitarian pause in the conflict and work for a ceasefire,” he said.

The “International Humanitarian Conference for Civilians in Gaza” began in Paris under Israeli bombardment. Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yıldız, Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammed Shtiyye, European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel, Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis , the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCA), Nikos Hristodulidis, will be attended by the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, as well as officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations from many countries.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that there were 239 captives, including French, in Gaza and called for the release of the captives. “When Hamas attacked Israel, it took responsibility for subjecting the Palestinians to terrible consequences,” Macron said. “Civilians in Gaza are suffering today,” he said.

Stating that thousands of people were killed and injured and more than a million people were displaced, Macron said that “Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism and the duty to protect civilians,” adding that Israel must comply with the law and that The fight against “terrorism” is subject to rules, he stated.

Macron announced that France’s aid to civilians in Gaza will increase to 100 million euros. (AA)