French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with the BBC, called on Israel to stop killing children, women and the elderly
He called on Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip, under which civilians are dying. At the same time, Macron assured that France categorically condemns the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.
“De facto — today they are bombing civilians — de facto. These kids, these women, these old people were bombed and dying. There is no reason for this and no legal justification. Therefore, we call on Israel to stop,” Macron said.
Asked whether Israel was violating international law, Macron said it was not his place to judge. He also said that he recognizes Israel's right to self-defense, but at the same time believes that a ceasefire will be beneficial to the Israelis themselves. “We therefore call on them to stop these bombings,” the French president said.
On the morning of October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. At the same time, organized groups of Hamas fighters began to penetrate into Israeli territory, who easily overcame the first line of defense of the Israeli army, took hostages and caused serious damage. Israel later launched Operation Iron Swords, launching attacks on the Gaza Strip and stopping all supplies of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel.
Current death toll from Israeli army strikes in the Gaza Strip exceeded 11,000, including 20 Russian citizens, the number of wounded exceeded 32 thousand. In addition, Hamas militants may be holding up to 150 Israelis hostage. More than 1.4 thousand people were killed in Israel.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to stop all hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a resolution to this crisis is possible only on the basis of a “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, that is, the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.