News Flash
PARIS, Aug 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday
condemned Israel's plan to expand its operations and take control of Gaza
City as a "disaster" and a path to "permanent war".
"This war must end now with a permanent ceasefire," Macron said in a
statement, adding Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City was "a disaster
of unprecedented gravity and a headlong rush into permanent war."
"Israeli hostages and the people of Gaza will continue to be the primary
victims of this strategy," Macron said.
Israel has said its military would "take control" of Gaza City in a plan
approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet that sparked
a wave of global criticism.
In the statement, Macron said it was important to establish a UN-mandated
stabilisation mission to secure the Gaza Strip.
"The Security Council must now work to establish this mission and give it a
mandate," he said.
"I have asked my teams to work on this without delay with our partners,"
Macron added.
Netanyahu defended the plan on Sunday, saying "Israel has no choice but to
finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas."
"We have about 70 to 75 percent of Gaza under Israeli control, military
control," he said.
"But we have two remaining strongholds, OK? These are Gaza City and the
central camps in Al Mawasi."
