ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday warned that Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza risk violating humanitarian principles, stressing that "ignoring humanitarian law and maintaining the situation in Gaza is not acceptable. Forced displacement of populations is not an acceptable response."

"We cannot have double standards,” Macron said, adding: “We stand for the right of the Ukrainian people to sovereignty. We must do the same when it comes to Gaza."

The humanitarian toll in Gaza has reached a critical level, he added during a joint press conference in Paris with Friedrich Merz, the newly elected German chancellor.

"Since early March, access to humanitarian aid has been blocked. We’ve entered a phase where the wounded cannot be evacuated, and where people are cut off from food and medicine. This is the worst humanitarian situation Gaza has faced since the beginning of the war," he added.

"Never have so many civilians been so long without access to food, medicine, or medical evacuation," he said.

He reiterated calls for the release of hostages, and a resumption of a political process that would lead to a two-state solution.

Macron also emphasized France’s diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia and other regional partners to develop a mutual recognition framework ensuring both Palestinian statehood and Israel’s right to security.

- Franco-German defense cooperation

Macron also announced the creation of a Franco-German Defense and Security Council which will meet regularly to coordinate joint defense strategies, and accelerate collaboration on projects such as next-generation tanks, long-range missiles, and combat aircraft.

"This is not about weakening NATO," Macron said, "but about Europeans taking greater responsibility. We must organize ourselves better, without calling historic alliances into question."

He also confirmed that nuclear deterrence, a traditionally sensitive subject, would be discussed openly between France and Germany, "with full respect for each country’s specific history and posture."

On Ukraine, he backed US-led efforts to negotiate a 30-day ceasefire with Russia as a step toward a "robust and lasting peace."

Macron said Europe must remain fully engaged but also be cautious about overexposing military aid plans.

“We must support Ukraine for as long as necessary, in full transparency with our allies – but say as little as possible publicly,” he said.