Summary
- Macron calls for a UN-led Gaza stabilization mission.
- Warns Israeli takeover risks permanent, devastating
war.
- Describes the plan as a grave, announced disaster.
- Urges the UN Security Council to mandate a mission.
- Mission to protect Gaza and support its people.
Macron called the decision by Israeli authorities "to expand its operations to Gaza City and the Al-Mawasi camps, and its reoccupation by Israel" "an announced disaster of unprecedented gravity and a headlong rush into a permanent war," according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.
"Israeli hostages and the populations of Gaza will continue to be the primary victims of this strategy,"
the French
president continued.
Macron's remarks are his first response to the
government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to seize Gaza City and attack the remaining Hamas strongholds, a
plan that has been widely criticized. This is the "best way to finish the
war" against Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli prime minister.
The France President proposed the creation of “an international coalition under a UN mandate,” describing it as “the priority” in order to “fight terrorism, stabilize Gaza, support its populations, and establish governance for peace and stability.”
“We laid the only credible foundations for this with Saudi Arabia in New York, obtaining for the first time a unanimous call from regional actors for the disarmament of Hamas and the release of the hostages,”
he added.
The concept of such a mission was first proposed on July 30th at a United Nations summit that led to a proclamation by 17 nations, including Egypt and Qatar. In addition to providing "security guarantees for Palestine and Israel, including the monitoring" of a future ceasefire, it was agreed that this mission would be designed to safeguard the civilian population and "support the transfer of security responsibilities" to the Palestinian Authority.
“The Security Council must now work to establish this mission and grant it a mandate. I have asked my teams to work on this without delay with our partners,”
President Macron concluded.
At a time when military tensions are still high and humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip is getting worse, France's position is part of continuous international diplomatic attempts to find a political solution to the conflict.
What are the main obstacles to achieving a UN mandate in Gaza according to Macron?
Israel's military plans, including the announced
operations to take control of Gaza City, and continuing blockade have created a
severe humanitarian crisis.
Macron warns that these actions risk becoming a
"disaster waiting to happen" and a "headlong rush into a
permanent war," which complicates international efforts to stabilize the
situation under a UN mandate.
The ongoing blockade has made the humanitarian
situation in Gaza "untenable," limiting aid delivery despite
international pressure. There is deep resistance or slow response from Israel
regarding easing the blockade or fully facilitating humanitarian assistance,
which Macron has said might force France to toughen its position, potentially
with sanctions.