Opening the Gaza assistance conference, French President Macron calls on Israel to safeguard people

Speaking at the opening of a Gaza assistance conference on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to save civilians in its conflict with Hamas, stating that “all lives have equal worth” and that combating terrorism “can never be carried out without rules.”

Officials from Western and Arab countries, the United Nations, and nonprofit groups convened in Paris with the objective of delivering immediate relief to residents in the Gaza Strip, which is under siege by Israel in its conflict with Hamas. According to Macron’s administration, Israeli officials were not present throughout the negotiations.

Macron restated appeals for an end to Israel’s operations for humanitarian reasons. He reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defense and said that Hamas “shouldered the responsibility for exposing Palestinians to terrible consequences” by assaulting Israel on October 7.

Macron did, however, emphasize the need to defend people. It is definitely necessary. It cannot be negotiated,” he said.

He said, “There are no double standards for those of us with universal and humanist values, and all lives have equal worth.”

“Without regulations, combating terrorism can never be accomplished. It is known to Israel. Giving in to violence and denying our beliefs is the same temptation that terrorists presents for all of us, he said.

Over 1.5 million people, or roughly 70% of Gaza’s population, have left their homes, and the situation in Palestinian regions is expected to need an estimated $1.2 billion in response.

In the short, medium, and long terms, the goal of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides’ humanitarian sea corridor proposal, according to him, is to provide Gaza with a “sustained, secure high-volume flow of humanitarian assistance.” The biggest port of Cyprus, Limassol, which is around 255 miles (410 kilometers) distant, is where ships would transport the relief.

Injured individuals may also be evacuated to medical ships in the Mediterranean off the coast of Gaza, according to French authorities. For that reason, Paris is getting ready to send another helicopter carrier with medical capabilities off the coast of Cyprus.

Talks on financial assistance and other means of assisting Gaza’s civilian population will also take place on Thursday. According to the French president, more than 50 countries were anticipated, including a number of European nations, the US, and regional heavyweights like Jordan, Egypt, and the Gulf states. Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh is also present.

Details on critical needs in the Gaza Strip are likely to be revealed by the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, and the senior UN assistance official.

It’s anticipated that France may declare some more funds. Paris has supplied 54 tons of humanitarian assistance to Egypt via three planes and an extra 20 million euros ($21.4 million) via the UN and other partners since the Hamas assault on October 7.

Following a review it conducted in the wake of the Hamas assault, the German government said on Tuesday that it would release 71 million euros ($76 million) that had previously been set aside for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in addition to adding 20 million euros ($21 million) in additional funds.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, president of the European Council, are also present at the summit. The leading international donor of assistance to the Palestinians is the 27-nation bloc. This year, it has sent over 78 million euros ($83 million).

“To push for an immediate cease-fire by all parties — as this is a vital precondition to ensure the people of Gaza receive any kind of sustained, effective, and impactful humanitarian aid,” said Amnesty International, which also welcomed the humanitarian meeting.

Human rights advocates from a number of organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Action Against Hunger, and Doctors of the World, assembled in front of the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday night to demand an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza.

Michel Lacharité, head of emergency operations at Doctors without Borders France, said in a statement: “If the parties involved in this conference only discuss technical details like the number of trucks to be driven through, it will amount to a cosmetic discussion that will delay the real issue, the cease-fire.”