French President Emmanuel Macron proposed today that the international coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria be expanded to include the fight against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The French president made this proposal while visiting Israel, but did not give details on how this could be done. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after the meeting described his country's war against Hamas as the war to save civilization.
French President Emmanuel Macron, after meetings with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, proposed that the Palestinian militant group Hamas be fought by a regional and international force.
President Macron announced his proposal during a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that like the Islamic State group, Hamas is a terrorist organization that aims to destroy Israel.
"This is why France is prepared for the international coalition against the Islamic State to fight against Hamas as well. I propose to our international partners to build a regional and international coalition to fight against the terrorist groups that threaten us all," said the French president.
However, Macron did not give details on how the construction of this coalition will be done, but emphasized that France and Israel have terrorism as "their common enemy".
The coalition led by the United States consists of about 80 countries and international organizations that takes military action, but also fights against the financing of terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters and helps stabilize and rebuild liberated areas.
The Israeli Prime Minister did not comment on President Macron's proposal, but praised the war against Hamas as a confrontation between civilization and evil.
"Hamas is a test for the West and for civilization. If Hamas wins, we all lose. Europe will be endangered. Civilization will be endangered. Therefore this battle is not just ours. It is the battle of Europe. It's America's battle. It is the battle of civilization. It is a battle for the heart and soul, and the future of the Middle East, and the Arab world," Prime Minister Netanyahu said during the press conference.
President Macron also warned against the dangers of a regional conflict, stressing that the fight against Hamas "must be merciless, but not without rules".
The French president's visit comes as European Union foreign ministers on Monday struggled to agree to call for a "humanitarian pause" in the war between Israel and Hamas to allow more aid to civilians.