Macron calls on Netanyahu to end Gaza war, agrees to work together on Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron tells Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone conversation that Israel must end its renewed military campaign in Gaza and resume the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory, the president says on X.

“The release of all hostages and Israel’s security are a priority for France,” writes Macron, saying he called on Netanyahu “to end the strikes on Gaza and to return to the ceasefire,” and told him that “humanitarian aid must resume immediately.”

Macron says that France “will continue working on the Arab reconstruction plan” for Gaza, and that “any forced displacement or annexation” in Gaza “would go against” the chance for a two-state solution, which Macron calls “the only path to peace and security for both peoples.”

During the phone call, Macron also called on Israel to “strictly respect the ceasefire it had committed to in Lebanon,” after Israel carried out strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon, which Jerusalem said were a response to ceasefire violations by Hezbollah.

I just spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin @Netanyahu.

The release of all hostages and Israel’s security are a priority for France.

I called on the Israeli Prime Minister to end the strikes on Gaza and to return to the ceasefire, which Hamas must accept.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 30, 2025

The two leaders “have decided to work together” to achieve stability between Israel and Lebanon, writes Macron, who adds that “the monitoring mechanism must be strengthened to fully restore Lebanon’s sovereignty,” which includes  “a complete withdrawal of Israel from Lebanese territory and support in order to restore the state’s monopoly on arms.”

The two also discussed “the stabilization of Syria and the restoration of its full sovereignty.”

France will continue to coordinate closely with Israel, concludes Macron.