French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: Reuters).
French President Macron proposed on October 24 that the US-led international coalition of dozens of countries fighting IS in Iraq and Syria should expand its scope of operations to be able to participate in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.
Mr Macron did not give specific details about the proposed mobilisation of the coalition, of which Israel is not a member. The US-led anti-IS coalition was established in September 2014.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Mr Macron said France was ready to join the international coalition to fight Hamas.
Mr Macron, who has warned of the risk of regional conflict, also said the fight against Hamas was “uncompromising but must follow the rules”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented on Mr Macron's proposal, but said: "This fight is not just ours, it is everyone's fight."
Mr Macron's office said France was ready to discuss with Israel and its partners possible measures against Hamas.
Thirty French people were killed in a Hamas offensive on Israeli-controlled territory on October 7, out of a total of 1,400 dead. Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes in response have killed more than 5,000 people in Gaza.
President Macron said that freeing nine French hostages held by Hamas is Paris' top priority at the moment.
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