French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate halt to the supply of arms to Israel, intensifying the international debate over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Macron emphasized the need for a political resolution rather than continued military escalation, highlighting the humanitarian concerns surrounding the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Speaking in an interview with France Inter, Macron said, “The priority today is to return to a political solution and stop delivering weapons to Gaza,” while clarifying that France is not involved in supplying arms. His remarks come at a time when Israel’s operations in Gaza have faced widespread criticism, particularly over the impact on civilians.
The United States, Israel’s biggest arms supplier, sends approximately $3 billion in military aid to the country annually. Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department acknowledged that while it lacked sufficient evidence to block weapons shipments, there were concerns about Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law in its use of these arms. Meanwhile, the UK also took action in September, halting certain arms exports to Israel due to the “clear risk” that they could be used in violations of humanitarian law.
Macron reiterated his calls for a ceasefire, warning that the ongoing conflict was generating more “hatred” and endangering long-term security, even for Israel. He stressed that diplomatic efforts were being overlooked, and expressed concerns that escalating tensions could spread to neighboring Lebanon. “Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza,” Macron warned, signaling the potential for further instability in the region.
The comments come as Israel prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which escalated into the current Gaza war. The death toll from the attack and subsequent conflict has continued to rise, with over 1,200 Israelis killed, most of them civilians. On the Palestinian side, at least 41,825 have died, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry, most of them civilians as well.
As the humanitarian situation worsens, Macron’s plea to stop arms deliveries underscores the growing international call for a ceasefire and the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the Gaza crisis.
