Macron calls for immediate halt to arms shipments to Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate halt to arms shipments to Israel in light of the ongoing military actions in Gaza. Despite repeated appeals for a ceasefire, Macron believes that the solution lies in ceasing the supply of weapons for these operations. He emphasized the need for a political resolution and stated that France is not providing any military support to Israel.
Macron’s comments come amid significant military aid from the United States, amounting to approximately $3 billion annually to Israel. The U.S. Department of State reportedly indicated earlier in the year that while there might be a likelihood of Israel breaching international humanitarian laws, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to warrant stopping these arms shipments. In contrast, the United Kingdom recently announced intentions to halt a portion of its weapon shipments to Israel due to the heightened risk of violations of humanitarian law.
Furthermore, Macron highlighted the importance of preventing the escalation of tensions in Lebanon, asserting that Lebanon should not become “the new Gaza.”
As the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel approaches, which resulted in the deaths of over a thousand people and about 250 taken hostage, the conflict’s human toll remains staggering. As of now, the confirmed death toll from Israeli military operations since October 7 has reached 41,825, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the United Nations, who consider these figures reliable.