French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Israeli government’s announcement of its intention to expand its military ground offensive in Gaza, calling for a permanent ceasefire and a UN-backed international coalition to help stabilize the region and support Palestinian governance.

In a statement, France criticized the expansion of Israeli military occupation of North Gaza as “rash and disastrous.” He warned that both Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages would suffer as a result of the operation and would be the primary victims. Macron reiterated that a two-state solution would prevent any further conflict and called for a temporary international stabilization mission.

Macron outlined how France is collaborating with the international community and the United Nations to achieve this. He proposed that such a stabilization mission should take the form of an “international coalition under the mandate of the UN Security Council.”

France also condemned the Israeli strike that targeted and killed five Al Jazeera journalists.

President Macron announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state at a UN conference in New York in July, with countries including the UK and Canada in support. France will be the first of the G7 countries to officially recognize Palestine as a state when the decision comes into effect in September. On X (formerly Twitter), Macron stated, “Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.”

Macron’s proposal for an international coalition is significant as it is deeply tied to this recent recognition of the State of Palestine. An international approach would also assist in legitimizing the recognition with the support and backing of international actors.

Under international law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) Section 1 protects the right to self-determination.