French President Emmanuel Macron described the Gaza-focused conference held in Paris as a stepping stone toward building a durable humanitarian coalition aimed at addressing the pressing challenges in the Palestinian region. The remarks were reported by Le Parisien, underscoring France’s intention to mobilize international support for aid delivery and civilian protection in Gaza.
Macron reiterated that France is committed to forming a humanitarian coalition. He noted that the initial gathering in Paris on Thursday convened international partners to coordinate relief efforts and press for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, with the goal of a broader cessation of hostilities that would protect civilians and enable aid to reach those in need without delay.
While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, Macron emphasized the obligation of the Israeli authorities to safeguard civilian lives in the Palestinian territories. He stated clearly that responsibility lies with those who plan and execute attacks and that every effort must be made to minimize harm to civilians during any security operation.
During the discourse at the World Health Organization, officials highlighted that the Gaza Strip requires substantial relief support, with estimates calling for around 500 truckloads of humanitarian aid daily to meet urgent health and living needs. The point underscored the scale of the crisis and the necessity for a reliable, continuous delivery channel to ensure essential supplies reach vulnerable populations on the ground.
In related commentary, former Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir insisted that sending only large quantities of explosives without accompanying humanitarian aid is insufficient while hostages remain in captivity. He argued that any humanitarian effort must be paired with concrete steps that address the safety and release of civilians held in Gaza to create space for relief work and civilian protection. He stressed the need for a mixed approach that pairs security considerations with immediate humanitarian access, as the region faces a complex and evolving emergency.