President Macron: We Cannot Let the Idea of ​​War Against Hamas Mean Leveling Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron. (Wikimedia Commons/men'smen)

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel's ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip, saying it was fighting the Hamas militant group that rules there by leveling the territory, while the death toll continues to rise.

"We cannot allow the idea that an efficient war against terrorism means razing Gaza or attacking the civilian population indiscriminately," President Macron told France 5 television station, quoted by Daily Sabah, December 21.

Furthermore, President Macron called on Israel "to stop this response because it is inappropriate, because all lives are of equal value and we defend it," he said.

While recognizing Israel's "right to defend itself and fight terror," President Macron said France called for the protection of civilians and "a ceasefire leading to a humanitarian ceasefire."

Yesterday, the militant group Hamas announced that more than 20,000 people, mostly women and children, had been killed as a result of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Israel denies claims of genocide and argues its actions target Hamas, not civilians, even though they consistently target civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, refugee camps, places of worship (churches and mosques), UN buildings, journalists, and institutions. humanity.

Separately, the death toll of Palestinians due to Israeli attacks in the region, in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, has reached 20,000, according to Palestinian officials, quoted by Al Jazeera.

The Gaza Government Media Office on Wednesday reported that at least 8,000 children and 6,200 women were among those killed.