French officials say military cooperation against Hamas is possible

After French President Emmanuel Macron brings up the idea of expanding the coalition against ISIS to counter Hamas, an Elysee Palace official says in Jerusalem that France is available “to beef up what we are doing in the coalition against ISIS. We are available to include Hamas in the coalition against ISIS depending on what Israel will ask us to deliver.”

“Not every country is fighting on the ground,” the official continues. “Much will depend on conversations we have with our allies.”

At the same time, the official does not rule out the possibility of military cooperation against Hamas or French boots on the ground.

The official also stresses the need to think ahead about restarting a “more crucial, more decisive peace process.”

“If you want to fight effectively and if you want to have everyone with you, you have to offer a political perspective,” the official continues. “We need to know altogether why we are fighting.”

“The cause that Israel is fighting for is our cause as well.”

The official says that Macron asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for “clarity about the endgame, the modalities with which you operate, the conditions which you create, your political motivation.”

He adds that France wants to “consolidate the perspective of a ceasefire. I know it is very delicate to discuss. But we need again to know where we are going to have the instruments available that can bring back peace and stability.”

After Macron’s discussion with Netanyahu, the official says, “We understand where the prime minister wants to go. I think it will take much more work to make sure everybody wants to embark.”

“We believe a key priority remains, which is to free the hostages,” the official says. “We are exploring every option and we believe it very important to do it with Israel.”

France lost 30 citizens in the Hamas assault, and nine are missing.