French President Emmanuel Macron has traveled to Israel Tuesday, the latest Western leader to do so, where he's meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials in what's scheduled as a two-day trip. He's met with families of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack as well.
He arrived in Tel Aviv just after Gaza's health ministry announced that deaths from Israeli airstrikes have soared past 5,000 killed. Just in the last 24 hours, officials said that 704 Palestinians have been killed. Additionally the ministry has warned that hospitals and medical centers are shutting down at rapid pace, with lack of resources including fuel and electricity.
Macron, while meeting Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday, conveyed that the release of the over 220 hostages held in Gaza should be the "first objective" of Israel and its allies. Macron appears to be backing Biden's appeal for Israel to stall the ground invasion in order to provide more time for negotiations. So far, four women have been released from Hamas captivity, including two Americans from Chicago.
But Macron has also made headlines in proposing that France help provide a military solution. He has offered that France's counter-ISIS forces be utilized for anti-Hamas action. He said his country stands ready "to beef up what we are doing in the coalition against ISIS. We are available to include Hamas in the coalition against ISIS depending on what Israel will ask us to deliver."
Macron said at a press conference alongside Netanyahu that terrorism is "our common enemy". Referencing the Islamic State, he explained, "France is ready for the international coalition against Daesh in which we are taking part for operations in Iraq and Syria to also fight against Hamas."
Shortly after Macron's proposal grabbed international headlines, an Elysee Palace official clarified that "Not every country is fighting on the ground" and that "Much will depend on conversations we have with our allies." The official stressed that Paris will still seek a "more crucial, more decisive peace process," and added:
"If you want to fight effectively and if you want to have everyone with you, you have to offer a political perspective," the official continues. "We need to know altogether why we are fighting."
"The cause that Israel is fighting for is our cause as well."
...France wants to "consolidate the perspective of a ceasefire. I know it is very delicate to discuss. But we need again to know where we are going to have the instruments available that can bring back peace and stability."
Importantly he stressed that in Jerusalem, Macron asked PM Netanyahu for "clarity about the endgame, the modalities with which you operate, the conditions which you create, your political motivation."
France had previously confirmed losing 30 of its nationals during the Oct.7 terror assault, nine of which are still missing - presumably in captivity in Gaza.
🚨 JUST IN: The IDF has distributed fliers in the Gaza Strip, appealing to Palestinians for information on hostages held by Hamas.
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 24, 2023
They pledge "security, as well as a financial reward" to those who provide valuable information.
Source: Times of Israel pic.twitter.com/4RjKgQcjuP
The question of "clarity" regarding Israel's goals and strategy is also high on the US administration's agenda. A Times of Israel report this week, commenting on what US officials told The NY Times, issued the following blunt words: "The Biden administration is reportedly concerned that Israel lacks achievable military goals for its operations in Gaza, leading US officials to believe that the IDF is not yet ready for a ground incursion."
Macron's visit, during which time he's seeking "clarity" on objectives, will only heighten this pressure on Netanyahu to convey a clear plan and exit strategy. The fear also is that Israel's military could get bogged down in a costly Gaza fight, leading to escalation and quagmire, including in the north with Hezbollah.
