Gaza: Macron warns Israel that ‘total destruction of Hamas’ will lead to ‘ten years’ of war

He stated this at a press conference at COP28. French President Emmanuel Macron warned Israel this Saturday that the goal of the “total destruction of Hamas,” the Palestinian Islamist movement in Gaza, must be “concretized” as it threatens to trigger “ten years” of war. “There will be no lasting security for Israelis if it comes at the cost of Palestinian lives,” he insisted from Dubai, calling on us to be “collectively conscious.”

In his opinion, “humanitarianism complements security. (…) There are no double standards for France,” the head of state assured from Dubai, calling for redoubled efforts to achieve a “lasting ceasefire”, “to achieve the release of all hostages” and “urgently provide assistance to the people of Gaza.” need”.

“The complete destruction of Hamas, what is it? Does anyone think this is possible? If that’s the case, the war will last ten years, and I don’t think anyone knows how to seriously define that goal. Therefore, this goal must be clarified,” Emmanuel Macron also called.

“These are ongoing negotiations that are ongoing.”

Although Israel is shelling the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Hamas’s deadly Oct. 7 attack, “a good fight against terrorism is not systematic and constant bombing,” the president said.

“We must resume humanitarian work, political debate and work to free hostages,” Emmanuel Macron also called. “These are ongoing negotiations that are ongoing,” he assured. During his trip to Qatar at the end of the day this Saturday, he will hold talks to “try as quickly as possible to initiate a new truce leading to a ceasefire,” the head of state recalled.

On Friday morning, Israeli bombing and Palestinian rocket attacks resumed after a week of truce and exchange of hostages and prisoners. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Israeli negotiators who continued negotiations in Qatar on a new truce with Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip returned to Israel this Saturday because the dialogue “had reached an impasse.”