Israel has been bombarding the coastal enclave for nearly two years following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack spearheaded by Hamas. This week the Israel Defense Forces launched a new ground offensive to seize Gaza City, escalating its campaign against the Palestinian militant group.
Macron condemned the operation as “a huge mistake” which, he said, will open a new discussion in Europe about imposing sanctions against “key people who are backing settlements.”
The French leader’s remarks come amid a bitter diplomatic clash with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
Macron announced in late July that France would move ahead with recognition, alongside other countries, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 22.
The announcement sparked a war of words with Israel.
In an Aug. 17 letter, Netanyahu accused Macron of fueling antisemitism and rewarding “Hamas terror” with the move to recognize Palestinian statehood.