French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that he had a conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which they both denounced the renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Macron indicated that they will co-chair a conference focused on a two-state solution, with the goal of “reviving a political perspective for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
He emphasized the necessity of returning to a ceasefire to ensure the release of all hostages and safeguard civilian lives. In a post on X, Macron noted that the two leaders also addressed the importance of collaborating on the future of Gaza.
On the same day, the Israeli military resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, following a second day of airstrikes that reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 48 Palestinians, according to health officials in the region. This escalation occurred just a day after over 400 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes, marking one of the most lethal periods since the conflict escalated in October 2023, effectively ending a ceasefire that had been largely maintained since January.
In a separate discussion, Macron expressed support for the crown prince’s Jeddah initiative, which facilitated the commencement of peace talks regarding Ukraine.
The leaders also touched upon the situations in Syria and Lebanon. Macron stated, “France and Saudi Arabia have aligned goals: a fully sovereign Lebanon and a united, stable Syria that is committed to an inclusive transition.”
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