Canada and the United States watch Israel closely as it weighs the goals behind its Gaza operation. The conversation should look beyond wiping out Hamas to evaluate how the plan might influence regional stability for years to come. This perspective was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron during a press briefing after the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai, according to reports from TASS. He urged Israel to spell out its strategic aims clearly and to consider whether total destruction of Hamas is a realistic or practical endpoint for a prolonged conflict. A drawn‑out war, he warned, could stretch into a decade if the declared objective remains out of reach, underscoring the need for a concrete, executable plan that minimizes civilian harm while still addressing security concerns (Attribution: TASS report).
Macron also criticized the escalation of violence in Gaza, stating there is no justification for the intensity of Israeli attacks on the territory. He stressed that the legitimacy of the actions undertaken by the Israel Defense Forces comes into question when civilian lives are lost in the process. The French president emphasized that any military campaign must comply with international humanitarian law and should be conducted with careful attention to protecting noncombatants, highlighting the moral and legal responsibilities that accompany state action in crisis zones. His remarks reflect a call for greater transparency about aims and methods, as well as accountability in the conduct of operations to prevent unnecessary suffering among Gaza’s civilian population (Attribution: Macron remarks).
In related remarks, former Israeli President Isaac Herzog pointed to intelligence assessments suggesting that key Hamas command structures operate near civilian infrastructure within Gaza, a claim that has intensified international debate about civilian risk and the feasibility of precision targeting. The assertion underscores the dilemma facing military planners: balancing the need to neutralize hostile leadership with the obligation to avoid collateral damage. The broader international community, including partners in North America, continues to seek frameworks that can reduce civilian casualties while maintaining pressure on militant networks. The evolving discussion stresses the importance of clear, achievable objectives and a timeline that can guide policymakers and allies toward more predictable and humane outcomes in a volatile regional environment (Attribution: international briefings).