France proposes forming an international coalition to confront Hamas.

French President Macron suggested that the international coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria could expand its targets to include Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"France is ready for the international coalition to confront Daesh, in which we are involved in operations in Iraq and Syria, and to extend this to confront Hamas as well," French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem today, referring to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Macron did not specify how the international coalition would deal with Hamas.

In September 2014, Western nations formed a coalition, led by the United States, to support local partners in Iraq and Syria in fighting ISIS. ISIS had controlled vast swathes of territory in both countries and declared the establishment of its own Islamic state. The extremist group suffered numerous defeats in separate campaigns by the international coalition and the Russian-backed Syrian army.

After losing their last stronghold in Syria in March 2019, the remnants of ISIS retreated into the desert, occasionally launching small-scale attacks.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in Jerusalem on October 24. Photo: AFP — French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in Jerusalem on October 24. Photo: *AFP*

President Macron arrived in Israel today to demonstrate France's support for the country in its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In an earlier meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the Elysee Palace occupant stated that France would "stand shoulder to shoulder" with Israel, while also warning of the risk of regional conflict.

Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that the Israeli army would destroy Hamas in the war in the Gaza Strip, but added that the fighting could be protracted.

Macron is the next Western leader to visit Israel, following the US, UK, Germany, and Italy. He is also expected to visit the West Bank to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas's office said the meeting will take place in Ramallah.

President Abbas's Fatah movement in the West Bank is internationally recognized as the official Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and is politically and strategically opposed to the West Bank government.

The Israeli-Hamas conflict situation. Graphic: CNN — The Israeli-Hamas conflict situation. Graphic: *CNN*

The Hamas-Israel conflict erupted on October 7th when the armed group controlling the Gaza Strip launched a surprise attack on Israel, forcing the latter to retaliate. After more than 17 days, the fighting between Hamas and Israel has resulted in over 6,400 deaths and approximately 20,000 injuries on both sides.

Israel has tightened its blockade, deployed tens of thousands of troops to the border with the Gaza Strip, and ordered more than a million people in the north of the region to evacuate to the south. The Israeli military has announced it is preparing to launch a retaliatory operation against Hamas, but has not specified a start date.

By Như Tâm (According to Reuters, AFP )

Source link