French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference with German Chancellor Scholz (not pictured) during the joint cabinet meeting of the German and French governments at the Hotel Louis C. Jacob. Marcus Brandt/dpaThirteen French citizens have been killed in Israel and 17 are missing, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
France will do everything to free French people held hostage by Hamas, he said in a televised address. “My thoughts tonight go to the families. I want to tell them that France is doing everything together with the Israeli authorities and our partners so that they can return home safely.”
“Israel was the victim of the worst attack in its history,” Macron said. “We share Israel’s pain.”
He said nothing could justify terrorism. “Israel has the right to defend itself by eliminating terrorist groups, including Hamas, through targeted actions, but it must spare civilians in the process, because this is a duty of democracy,” Macron said.
He warned of anti-Semitism, hatred and social division in France and called on people to stand together.
Israeli soldiers stand next to an abandoned car at the site of the Supernova desert music festival, after Israeli forces managed to secure areas around Re’im. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
An Israeli soldier patrols the site of the Supernova Desert Music Festival, after Israeli forces managed to secure the areas around Re’im. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
