French president arrives in Israel to show solidarity against Hamas attack

By Abdelraouf Arna'out

JERUSALEM (AA) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday arrived in Israel to express France's "full solidarity" with Israel against the Hamas attack and to meet with top Israeli officials.

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN said Macron is expected to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day.

According to a statement from his office, Macron's visit aims to push for the release of hostages being held by the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza and also to call for the resumption of a "genuine peace process" between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Several European leaders landed in Israel in the past two weeks to show solidarity with Israel against the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, which left hundreds of Israelis killed, and some 200 others held in the group's captivity in Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 5,087, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Monday.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in Hamas attacks since Oct. 7, according to Israeli authorities.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar