French president Emmanuel Macron has called on Israel to stop bombing and killing women and babies in Gaza.
Mr Macron called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the region.
“I think there is no justification precisely to attack civilians,” Mr Macron told the BBC.
“De facto, today civilians are bombed, de facto, there’s babies, there’s ladies, there’s old people are bombed and killed.
“There is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop”
Asked if he was disappointed the United States and the UK were not joining him in a call for ceasefire, he said: “No, I hope they will”.
“I think it is very important to see the whole story, but I think this is the only solution we have, this ceasefire,” he said.
Since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7th, Gaza officials said the territory’s death toll has surpassed 11,000 while more than 100,000 Palestinians have fled south over the past two days, according to Israel.
Mr Macron refused to say whether he believes Israel has broken international law.
Mr Macron said: “We do recognise the right (for Israel) to protect themselves, and one month after this terrorist attack, I think it would be not the right way to deal with a partner and a friend, just to say you will be condemned and you are guilty.”
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron:
"The responsibility for any harm to civilians lies with Hamas - ISIS and not with Israel.— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 10, 2023
Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu responded to Mr Macron on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying Hamas is to blame for the harm to civilians.
He said: “The responsibility for any harm to civilians lies with Hamas – ISIS and not with Israel.”
On Wednesday, UK foreign secretary James Cleverly said the UK government supports a “humanitarian pause” in the Gaza Strip above a wider ceasefire.
Speaking at the G7 foreign minister talks in Japan, the Associated Press reported Mr Cleverly said a ceasefire would hamper Israel’s ability to defend itself.
He said: “We have seen and heard absolutely nothing that makes us believe that Hamas leadership is serious about (a) ceasefire.”
UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to support a humanitarian ceasefire rather than a pause from within his party.
Mr Starmer said: “There is a division on whether we should call for a humanitarian pause, which is my position as I’ve set out very, very clearly, and some who think we should have a ceasefire, which again I’ve rejected very clearly.”
The White House announced this week that the Israeli government agreed to halt its offensive in Gaza for four hours each day and open a second route for those looking to escape the north of the territory.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Friday in New Delhi that “far too many” Palestinians have died and more needs to be done to save lives and get aid where it is most needed.
Mr Blinken said the US “appreciates” Israel’s steps to minimise civilian casualties, but that is not enough.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of London for a pro-Palestine march on Saturday, which coincides with the UK's Rememberance Day.
