France retreats after Macron suggests anti-IS coalition could battle Hamas

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

After French President Emmanuel Macron introduces the idea of expanding the international anti-Islamic State coalition to include the fight against Hamas, the Elysee Palace appears to walk it back.

“The aim is to get inspiration from the international coalition’s experience against ISIS and to check which aspects can be implemented against Hamas as well,” says the president’s office in a statement.

“We are ready to think, along with our partners and with Israel, about relevant courses of action against Hamas.”

The statement also stresses the coalition’s non-combat roles.

“The international coalition against ISIS is not limited to actions on the ground, but also includes training of Iraqi forces, information sharing between partners, and fighting terrorism funding.”

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