France's Macron to hold humanitarian conference on Gaza next week in Paris

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – A humanitarian conference for civilians in the Gaza Strip will be held in Paris on Thursday next week, France's president announced on Friday.

"I will hold on Nov. 9 a humanitarian conference in Paris on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum, about the humanitarian topic," Emmanuel Macron told reporters during a visit to the storm-hit town of Plougastel-Daoulas in western France.

He underlined France's commitment to avoiding escalation in the Middle East and called for peace and the protection of civilians.

Macron also noted that his country called for a humanitarian truce.

"The fight against terrorism does not justify sacrificing civilians," he stressed.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.