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In Israel, France’s Macron proposes anti-ISIS coalition against Hamas

On a solidarity visit to Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed harnessing the anti-ISIS coalition to fight against Hamas and regional terrorism.

Macron shakes hands with Netanyahu
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) after their joint press conference in Jerusalem on Oct. 24, 2023. — Kobi Gideon/GPO

On a visit to Israel on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the expansion of the international coalition established in 2014 to fight the Islamic State and al-Qaeda to help Israel fight Hamas. Still, speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Macron gave no details of the potential scope of such an engagement. 

The international coalition against ISIS includes 86 countries committed to eroding the group's capabilities globally. 

Elaborating on the international coalition proposed by Macron, a source at the Elysee Palace said after the press conference, "The aim is to draw inspiration from the experience of the international coalition against ISIS and see which aspects can be replicated against Hamas." The statement added ,"It will then be up to the partners and in particular Israel to express their needs."

The Elysee source also noted, "The international coalition against ISIS is not limited to operations on the ground, but also involves training of Iraqi forces, the sharing of information between partners and the fight against the financing of terrorism."

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