French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for a UN stabilization mission to be deployed to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
“This is the only credible way to get out of a situation that is unacceptable for the families of the hostages and the residents of Gaza,” he said, according to the Élysée Palace.
“No to an Israeli military operation,” Macron added. “Yes to an international coalition under a UN mandate to fight terrorism, stabilize Gaza and support the population.”
The president said the mission would assist with the disarmament and demilitarization of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
He said the UN Security Council, of which France is a permanent member, should work to set up the mission.
Macron also sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to expand the war in Gaza, a move he called a “disaster” of “unprecedented severity.”
“This war must now be ended with a permanent ceasefire,” said the French president, who has stepped up his critique of Israel in recent months over its conduct in Gaza.
Macron has also pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, a move lambasted by Netanyahu’s government.