French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed it would be an ‘error’ for Israel if Israel launched a ‘massive ground intervention’ in Gaza.
“France recognises Israel’s right to defend itself. Regarding a ground intervention, if it is a massive operation that would endanger civilian populations, in that case I think it would be an error for Israel,” Macron told reporters in Egypt.
Macron added that a total of 31 French citizens had now died from the Hamas attacks in Israel earlier this month.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed it would be an ‘error’ for Israel if Israel launched a ‘massive ground intervention’ in Gaza, even though Macron reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.
“France recognises Israel’s right to defend itself. Regarding a ground intervention, if it is entirely targeted against terrorist groups, that is a choice that it has, but if it is a massive operation that would endanger civilian populations, in that case I think it would be an error for Israel,” Macron told reporters in Egypt.
Macron added that a total of 31 French citizens had now died from the Hamas attacks in Israel earlier this month.
It was earlier reported that, the US government has asked Israel to delay its ground invasion of Gaza in a bid to free more hostages that were captured by Hamas – and to help aid enter into the war-torn strip, according to insiders.
More than 200 people are believed to be kidnapped by the terrorists, and on Friday, two Americans were freed from Gaza amid the escalating conflict.
A source who spoke to CNN said: ‘The [administration] pressed Israeli leadership to delay because of progress on the hostage front.’
On Saturday, when asked if he would be encouraging Israel to delay the imminent ground invasion, Joe Biden responded: ‘I’m talking to the Israelis.’
Natalie Shoshana Raanan, 17, and her mother Judith Tai Raanan, 59, arrived back in Israel late on Friday, the Israeli government confirmed, having left Gaza via an Egyptian-controlled crossing.
