‘Massive’ Israel Ground Operation in Gaza Would Be ‘An Error’: French President Macron

A “massive” Israeli floor incursion into Gaza can be “an error”, French President Emmanuel Macron stated Wednesday, warning it might hurt civilians with out making certain Israel’s long-term safety.

The warning got here as Macron held talks in Cairo along with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who additionally urged efforts “to avoid a ground invasion” in Gaza, the place Israel is locked in a lethal confrontation with Hamas militants.

Israel has been relentlessly bombing the tiny Palestinian territory since October 7 when Hamas gunmen poured throughout its border, killing greater than 1,400 individuals, principally civilians, and seizing greater than 220 others, officers say, in the worst assault in Israel’s historical past.

Hamas officers say that to date, Israeli strikes have killed greater than 6,500 Palestinians, principally civilians. There are fears the toll might additional soar if Israel pushes forward with a broadly anticipated floor invasion in a bid to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages.

“A massive intervention that would put civilian lives at risk would be an error,” stated Macron after assembly Sisi, who additionally warned a floor operation would trigger “many, many civilian casualties”.

The French chief stated “it would also be a mistake for Israel because it would be unlikely to offer long-term protection and because it is incompatible with protecting the civilian population or respecting international humanitarian law and the rules of war.”

Egypt and Jordan had been the primary two Arab states to forge relations with Israel, in 1979 and 1994 respectively, and have since performed key mediator roles.

Cairo has been one of many foremost brokers in efforts to safe the discharge of greater than 200 hostages now held in Gaza.

After greater than two weeks of relentless bombardment and siege by Israel, Gaza’s already-fragile healthcare system is susceptible to collapsing, with hospitals operating out of important provides and gasoline to energy mills.

– No ‘political horizon’ –

Macron stated on Wednesday that France can be sending a navy ship to help Gaza’s hospitals inside the subsequent 48 hours.

France would additionally ship a planeload of medical tools to Egypt to be transported into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Sisi referred to as for a de-escalation, ceasefire and return to diplomacy, saying “the lack of a political horizon” had fuelled the present battle.

Macron echoed Sisi’s help for a “two-state solution” — the cornerstone of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians which were stalled for years.

“It is difficult at the moment to talk about the resumption of a peace process,” Macron stated, describing it as “more necessary than ever”.

Worried that the Gaza bloodshed might exacerbate tensions throughout the broader Middle East, Arab leaders have repeatedly pushed for a return to a political course of, with Jordan’s King Abdullah II saying the battle “might lead to an explosion” in the area.

Before assembly Macron, Sisi inspected Egyptian troops and informed them to “always be ready” three days after an Egyptian border watchtower was hit by an unintended Israeli shelling that wounded a number of guards.

Egypt was doing all it might for a de-escalation and ceasefire, in addition to to “support civilians in Gaza” by sending assist by way of the Rafah border crossing, he stated.

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)