French President: Ceasefire In Gaza Priority

French President Emmanuel Macron/PHOTO via Instagram @emmanuelmacron

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains a priority, amid the distribution of humanitarian aid to residents affected by the conflict in the Palestinian enclave.

"All lives are meaningful," Macron said at a press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace, Paris, as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, January 17.

Despite this, Macron still blamed the Palestinian Hamas fighter group, for the conflict in Gaza.

Macron said after a 100-day conflict, military operations carried out by Israeli defense forces must be based on respect for humanitarian law.

He also emphasized the importance of preventing conflicts from spreading throughout the region.

"France is related to peace and stability in Lebanon," Macron said.

Macron then announced that a national ceremony would be held on February 7 in Paris to commemorate 41 French nationals killed on October 7 in the Middle East.

Israel has launched non-stop air and landstrikes in the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas that Tel Aviv says killed 1,200 people.

It was recorded that 24,285 Palestinians, mostly women and children, had been killed by Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, 61,154 people were injured, according to Palestinian health authorities. Meanwhile, tensions have also risen along the Lebanese border with Israel since the Israeli army launched a military offensive in Gaza. The Lebanese Hezbollah group and Israeli forces were involved in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought on a full scale in 2006.