Tel Aviv, Israel: French President Emmanuel Macron made a significant visit to Tel Aviv on Tuesday, delivering a resounding message of support for Israel following the tragic October 7th attacks carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, as reported by an AFP correspondent.

The President's arrival comes more than two weeks after Hamas militants breached Israel's borders from the Gaza Strip, leading to the loss of over 1,400 lives, primarily consisting of innocent civilians subjected to gunfire, mutilation, and even immolation during the first day of the incursion, as stated by Israeli authorities. Tragically, among these victims were 30 French nationals.

President Macron's official itinerary included a crucial meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he emphatically voiced France's unwavering solidarity in the aftermath of the harrowing attack, as stated by the French presidency.

Furthermore, Macron was anticipated to advocate for the safeguarding of Gaza's civilian population amidst Israel's unrelenting aerial assaults and imminent ground operation in the densely populated Palestinian enclave. According to figures provided by the Hamas-run health ministry, over 5,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have perished during Israel's military actions.

The President's specific call for a "humanitarian truce" aimed to facilitate the urgently required humanitarian aid into Gaza. This area, home to 2.4 million people, has been grappling with severe shortages of water, food, electricity, and other essential provisions due to an enduring Israeli blockade, as indicated by the Elysee Palace.

President Macron and Prime Minister Netanyahu jointly held a press conference at 1:00 pm (1000 GMT), addressing various aspects of the crisis. Notably, the French head of state also had scheduled meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as well as opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid in Jerusalem.

In Tel Aviv, President Macron expressed his condolences to the families of French and French-Israeli nationals who lost their lives in the Hamas attack or are currently held hostage in Gaza. Tragically, seven French citizens remain unaccounted for, one of whom is confirmed to be among the over 200 individuals reportedly held captive by Hamas, according to Israeli authorities.

While President Macron expressed his belief that the others may also be hostages, their status had yet to be confirmed. The French President additionally sought to maintain efforts to prevent a dangerous escalation in the region, amid growing concerns over escalating cross-border tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

During his visit, President Macron proposed the revival of a "genuine peace process," with the aim of establishing a viable Palestinian state in exchange for security assurances from regional powers to guarantee Israel's safety. This initiative involved discussions with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and leaders of Gulf nations, as disclosed by the Elysee Palace.

Notably, President Macron's visit to Israel follows similar visits by prominent world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing the global concern for the region's stability and peace.

As the world watches, President Macron's visit to Israel underscores the international community's commitment to fostering peace and stability in a region grappling with ongoing conflict and the tragic loss of innocent lives.

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