Macron's call to stop killings in Gaza came '10,000 deaths later': French opposition figure

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - French opposition figure Mathilde Panot on Saturday criticized President Emmanuel Macron, saying the latter’s call to stop killings in Gaza came "10,000 deaths later."

This came a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to stop killing babies and women in Gaza.

"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," Macron said.

“Day after day what we saw is permanent bombing of civilians in Gaza. I think this is the only solution we have, the cease-fire," he added.

Responding to Macron’s comments, Panot said on X: "It came late. 10,000 deaths later.”

"But we must salute this call that we continue to uphold and which is the only one that is worth: CEASE-FIRE in Gaza!" she added.

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, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.