French President Macron arrives in Tel Aviv amid Israel-Hamas war
Oct 24, 2023
Tel Aviv [Israel], October 24 : French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday arrived in Tel Aviv amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas to express his country's solidarity with Israel
During his visit, Macron will "show solidarity to Israel" and "make commitments against terrorist groups very clear," Al Jazeera reported.
On October 22, Macron's office announced that the French president will visit Tel Aviv today for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and centrist opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, Reuters reported.
The French president's visit comes days after the visits by American President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rish Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.
On October 17, Macron announced that he would visit Tel Aviv following the fatal terror attacks by the Hamas terror group in Israel, reported The Jerusalem Post.
The French President has been a firm supporter of Israel since the Hamas group launched a series of attacks on Israel since October 7, killing 1400 Israelis and taking over 200 people hostage to Gaza.
According to reports, 30 French citizens were killed on October 7 and seven are still missing.
Amongst one of those kidnapped by the Hamas terrorists, French Israeli citizen Maya Schem appeared in a video posted on Telegram on Monday, following which, Macron demanded her "immediate and unconditional release," reported The Jerusalem Post.
On October 8, Macron held talks with Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning the attack carried out on Israel and affirmed France's support for the country.
Macron held talks with Netanyahu and Isareli President Herzog after a barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on October 7 following Hamas' surprise attack.
Taking to social media 'X', Macron stated, "I have spoken to President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu. I condemn the attacks carried out from Gaza on Israel, its soldiers and its people. France stands in solidarity with Israel and the Israelis, committed to their security and their right to defend themselves.
According to the Gaza-based Health ministry, the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,750 and the number of wounded has risen to 9,700. In a previous statement, the ministry said over 750 children were among the people killed in the Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Israel from the Hamas attack is now over 1,400, said Israel Defence Force (IDF).
