Fate of Palestinians cannot be left in hands of Netanyahu, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said that the fate of Palestinian civilians and hostages should not be left in the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "for whom the release of hostages is not a priority".

in an interview with public broadcaster FRANCE 24 Macron said, "Netanyahu's first priority is not the release of hostages, otherwise he would not have launched the latest offensive on Gaza City, nor would he have struck negotiators in Qatar."

Macron stressed that "total war kills civilians, it does not destroy Hamas," and that despite Israel’s repeated strikes the Palestinian group remains capable of fighting.

The French leader also urged the US, "the one country with very concrete means to exert pressure," to push Israel to change course, saying that failing this, the EU countries would have to consider sanctions.

Macron said any Israeli move to annex the occupied West Bank would cross a "red line" for France.