French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Hamas "must have no role" in governing Gaza after the war ends, as he signed new strategic partnership deals with Egypt and discussed plans to rebuild the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
Speaking in Cairo alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Macron said he supported a plan led by Arab states to help rebuild Gaza and establish new governance once the fighting stops.
"Hamas must have no role in this governance, and must no longer constitute a threat to Israel," Macron said at a joint press conference.
The Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank should take over leadership of the territory, he added. “This plan offers a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and should also pave the way for new Palestinian governance.”
No forced displacement
Macron and Sisi both said they were strongly against any move to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.
"We are firmly opposed to the displacement of populations and to any annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank," Macron said. "This would be a violation of international law and a serious threat to the security of the entire region, including Israel."
Sisi said that without a "just solution" for Palestinians, there would be no "lasting peace and permanent stability in the Middle East".
France's Macron to hold Gaza summit with Egyptian, Jordanian leaders
Strategic deals
The two leaders signed a joint declaration upgrading relations to a strategic partnership, with agreements in transport, health, education and energy.
"Egypt is a strategic partner for our country," Macron said. "I would thus like to reaffirm France's commitment to ensuring the stability of Egypt given the context of a worsening climate in the region and as the Egyptian economy faces challenges."
France's overseas aid development body will sign €260 million worth of loans and grants for Egypt, covering sectors including water, health, transport and energy.
Ceasefire push
Both presidents condemned the renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza and urged an urgent return to ceasefire talks.
"We condemn the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza," Macron said, warning that the situation on the ground was worsening "dramatically".
Gaza’s health ministry said at least 1,391 people had been killed since 18 March, when Israeli forces resumed their offensive following the collapse of a two-month truce.
Macron praised Egypt’s “tireless efforts” as a mediator in the conflict, including its role alongside Qatar and the United States in brokering the January ceasefire.
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Trilateral summit
On Monday, Macron and Sisi were joined by Jordan’s King Abdullah II for a summit focused on the war in Gaza and efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the enclave’s 2.4 million people.
King Abdullah said there must be “a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution”.
The visit is seen as a show of support for Egypt and Jordan, amid international debate over the possible movement of Gazans out of the territory.
“We agreed to coordinate efforts for the upcoming Gaza reconstruction conference that Egypt intends to host once hostilities cease,” Sisi said.
Macron is expected to travel to the North Sinai port city of Al Arish on Tuesday to meet local officials and discuss aid access to Gaza.
(with newswires)
