French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday pledged that France would play a “key role” in humanitarian efforts and the reconstruction of Gaza, and thanked the countries that mediated the new ceasefire deal, during an international peace summit in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Upon his arrival, Macron voiced his gratitude to negotiators from Egypt, the US, Qatar, and Turkey and stressed the urgent need to resume humanitarian operations in Gaza as soon as possible. He said Paris would co-organise a conference with Egypt to support and rebuild the Gaza Strip.
France will play an important role in supporting the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to achieve peace in Gaza, especially on humanitarian issues such as wounded children and those who lost their families during the war, the French president said, affirming that France would also contribute to addressing security issues.
On the sidelines of the summit, Macron met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and other key issues.
The two presidents discussed the entry of humanitarian aid, the completion of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the State of Palestine assuming full responsibilities therein, a statement said.
They also discussed preventing the annexation of the West Bank, halting colonial activity, and recovering Palestinian funds withheld by Israel to enable the Palestinian government to fulfil its duties towards its citizens.
During the meeting, President Abbas thanked his French counterpart for his country’s recognition of the State of Palestine and for co-chairing, along with Saudi Arabia, the high-level international conference to resolve the Palestinian issue and implement the two-state solution.
