Macro to Tel Aviv: France stands side by side with Israel

France's President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that he would not leave Israel alone in his fight against militants, but warned of the dangers of escalation of war in regional conflict.

After meeting with the families of French victims at Tel Aviv Airport, Macroni said during a conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzeg in Jerusalem that France stands a “side-by-side” with Israel and that the first goal should be to release hostages in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's army, which is preparing for a land invasion of crowded Gaza with Palestinians, says Hamas is holding 222 hostages.

We want you to be sure that we will not abandon you in this war against terrorism. It is our duty to fight against terrorism, without any confusion and without extending that conflict”, Macro said during his visit to Israel on Tuesday.

Beyond solidarity with Israel, Macron came with the intention to make <x0-proposions that are as accessible as they are to prevent the escalation of conflict, release the hostages and guarantee Israel's safety and work on a two-state solution, his advisers said.

According to them, during his visit, Macron will make efforts for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Macron's visit to Israel comes a day after the European Union's foreign ministers failed to reconcile a “humanitarian impact on fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in order to allow the introduction of more humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Macro will also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah.

Mojamoud Abbas' office said Macron will also meet with Palestinian leader in Ramallah, the occupied West Coast.

Macroni is the latest European leader to visit Israel in recent days, after US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. / REL