President Macron is concerned about the large number of civilian casualties in Gaza when speaking with Israeli PM Netanyahu

French President Emmanuel Macron. (Wikimedia Commons/Jacques Paquier)

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his deepest concern when assessing the large number of civilian casualties in Gaza, as well as the humanitarian emergency in the Palestinian enclave, when speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a reading of Wednesday's telephone conversation at the Elysée Palace, President Macron told PM Netanyahu about "the importance of Israel protecting civilians and the importance of providing the necessary assistance to the people of Gaza," according to the French Presidency, reported by CNN 28 December.

President Macron further stressed "the need to work towards a lasting ceasefire, with the help of all regional and international partners," the presidential palace said.

According to President Macron, France will cooperate with Jordan "in the coming days" to carry out humanitarian operations in Gaza.

The French president also told PM Netanyahu that the release of all hostages in the Gaza Strip, including three citizens, was a priority for Paris.

Next, President Macron also emphasized "the importance of Israel taking all necessary steps to end the violence perpetrated by certain settlers against Palestinian civilians, as well as any new settlement projects in the West Bank, which threaten the two-state solution".

The French statement also called the two-state solution "the only viable solution to guarantee Israel's long-term security and fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people."

On this occasion, President Macron reaffirmed France's commitment to Israel's security and "recalled the steps taken within the framework of the European Union to establish sanctions against Hamas, as well as the steps taken together with international partners against terrorist groups that threaten peace and stability in the region. "

Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu, according to an Israeli government statement, informed President Macron about Israel's "efforts to free the hostages" and asked the French President to "continue working for their release".

PM Netanyahu also thanked President Macron for France's active role in safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, as well as France's readiness to contribute to the restoration of security along Israel's border with Lebanon, according to a readout of Israel's call.

He also "made clear the people and Government of Israel are determined to work at all costs" to return Israelis from the southern settlements (near Gaza) and the northern settlements (near the Lebanese border) to their homes.

It is known that the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which left 1,200 people dead and 240 others taken hostage, was met with Israeli bombardment and blockade of Gaza, leaving around 21,100 people dead and 55,243 injured as of Wednesday, according to the local health ministry, quoted from Al Jazeera.