French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the two both denounced Israel’s renewed airstrikes against Gaza.
Macron said they would jointly co-chair a conference about a two-state solution in an effort to revive a political vision for Israelis and Palestinians.
He stated this in an X post, adding that the two leaders emphasized the necessity of cooperation on the future of Gaza.
“A return to the ceasefire is essential for the release of all hostages and the protection of civilians,” he said.
The Israeli military resumed ground combat in central and southern Gaza on Wednesday, following a second day of airstrikes that killed a minimum of 48 Palestinians, health workers in the coastal region reported.
The resumed ground operations were a day after more than 400 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in one of the worst attacks since the fighting broke out in October 2023, shattering a ceasefire which had been holding for the most part since January.
In another step, Macron praised the crown prince’s Jeddah initiative, which enabled the opening of peace talks in Ukraine.
Leaders also broached Syria and Lebanon.
“France and Saudi Arabia share the same objectives: a fully sovereign Lebanon and a united, stable Syria engaged in an inclusive transition,” Macron said.
