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French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for a UN stabilization mission to be deployed to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n
“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 \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
The president said the mission would assist with the disarmament and demilitarization of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.<\/p>\n
He said the UN Security Council, of which France is a permanent member, should work to set up the mission.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Macron has also pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, a move lambasted by Netanyahu’s government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n