Macron Proposes Expanding the Anti-Terror Coalition to Include Action Against Hamas
French President Emmanuel Macron made a proposal on October 24 to broaden the scope of the international coalition, which has been fighting against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, to include efforts against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Speaking in Jerusalem alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron highlighted terrorism as a common enemy shared by France and Israel.
Macron’s proposition did not delve into specifics regarding how the US-led coalition, which includes dozens of countries (excluding Israel), could engage in the fight against Hamas.
Macron underscored the need for a united stance, warning against the risks of a broader regional conflict. He stated that any action against Hamas should be ruthless but not devoid of rules.
Although Benjamin Netanyahu did not offer a direct response to Macron’s proposal, he framed the struggle as a battle between “the axis of evil” and “the free world.” The Israeli Prime Minister emphasised that the fight against terrorism was a global battle that extended beyond Israel’s borders.
The US-led coalition against IS was established in September 2014. Macron’s office clarified that the idea was to draw inspiration from the coalition’s structure and that France was willing to explore with Israel and other partners how best to address the challenge posed by Hamas. The international coalition against IS goes beyond ground operations and includes activities such as training Iraqi forces, sharing intelligence among partners, and combating terrorism financing.
For Macron, the priority during his visit to Israel was to address the release of nine French hostages. He met with the families of the French victims at Tel Aviv airport before continuing his diplomatic mission. In addition to his meetings in Israel, Macron was scheduled to meet with regional leaders in Amman, Jordan, the following day. It was announced that he would also have discussions with the Palestinian leader in Ramallah, located in the West Bank.
Macron’s visit came on the heels of the EU Foreign Ministers’ efforts to reach a consensus regarding a call for a “humanitarian pause” in the ongoing conflict, a subject they struggled to agree upon.
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