Macron backs Biden’s call for ceasefire deal on Gaza

“The Gaza war must cease. We endorse the US proposal for enduring peace, just as we are collaborating with regional partners on peace and security for all,” Macron said on X, speaking in Arabic, Hebrew, and English.

“The release of hostages, a permanent ceasefire to advance peace, and progress toward the two-state solution,” he added.

Earlier, Biden stated that Israel had presented Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, with a three-phase agreement to halt hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.

The US president called on Hamas to accept the agreement and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resist pressure from members of his coalition who oppose the plan.

Israel has been striking Gaza in retaliation for an October 7 Hamas attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.

Nearly 36,400 Palestinians have died in Gaza since Israel initiated its assault almost eight months ago. The majority of the casualties have been women and children, with over 82,400 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Large areas of Gaza are in ruins due to Israel’s blockade on food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which recently ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operations in Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians sought refuge from the war.