Macron slams IDF attacks on UN schools, urges adherence to international law

French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced the Israel Defence Forces for their attacks on UN schools and Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, stressing “in the strongest terms the imperative that Israel must respect international humanitarian law,” his office has reported.

According to the Elysee Palace, Macron made his comments during talks last night with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Qatar’s Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa concerning the Israeli war against the Palestinians in Gaza.

Scores more Palestinians were killed and others were wounded yesterday in Israeli air strikes on Al-Mawasi to the west of Khan Yunis, which has become a refuge for thousands of displaced families who were forced to flee their homes across Gaza as a result of Israel’s ongoing military offensive.

The French president also criticised Israel’s approval of new settlements, and supported EU sanctions against several far-right Israelis and groups after Israel legalised several illegal West Bank settlement outposts. International law is clear that the West Bank and Jerusalem are occupied Palestinian territories, and the construction and expansion of settlements in such territories is illegal.

Macron apparently urged Hamas to release its hostages immediately and called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Israeli occupation army has carried out its military offensive against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since 7 October with US and European support. It has destroyed hospitals, schools, universities and homes, as well as important civilian infrastructure. Food, fresh water, fuel and medicine have been blocked from entering the enclave.

To date the Israeli offensive has killed 38,794 Palestinians and wounded almost 90,000 others, with at least a further 10,000 missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes. Moreover, around two million people in Gaza have been internally displaced, according to the UN.

President Macron affirmed that France would continue to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the war, added his office.

READ: France expresses ‘outrage’ about Israel strikes on Gazan civilians