Emmanuel Macron urges Israel to stop 'killing babies and women' in Gaza

By Nur Asena Erturk ​​​​​​​

French president Emmanuel Macron urged Israel on Friday to stop "killing babies and women" in Gaza.

It is important for Israel's security to "recognize that all lives matter," Macron told the BBC at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

He hoped that other leaders would join his demand for a cease-fire.

"De facto - today, civilians are bombed - de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop," he said.

Macron, however, backed Israel's right to self-defense and refused to comment on if Israel broke international laws, according to the BBC.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip -- including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship -- since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women.

The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,400, according to official figures.