In a significant political development, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that the anti-Islamic State coalition should be included in the fight against Hamas. Macron's statement came during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
"We share the same enemy, that is terrorism, and we share the same ambition, that is peace in the Middle East," Macron said. However, he did not provide much detail on how he imagines the coalition's involvement against Hamas.
"The fight against Islamic State is a perfect example of what we can do when we join forces. The same international approach should be taken to combat Hamas," Macron added.
Macron's statement marks a significant shift in France's stance on the Middle East conflict. France, a key member of the anti-Islamic State coalition, has traditionally advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
Experts believe that Macron's proposal could reshape the dynamics of the Middle East conflict. "This is a major shift in policy, and it's not without risks," said Jean-Yves Camus, a French political scientist and expert on the Middle East. "Involving the anti-Islamic State coalition could escalate the situation and possibly draw in other regional actors."
The anti-Islamic State coalition, officially known as the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, was formed in 2014 and includes 82 countries. It was instrumental in the military defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
On the other hand, Hamas, an Islamist political organization and militant group, has been governing the Gaza Strip since 2007. It has been involved in several conflicts with Israel, most recently the 11-day conflict in May 2021 that resulted in the death of over 250 people.
Macron's statement has drawn mixed reactions. Some see it as a positive step towards a more coordinated international response to Hamas, while others fear it could lead to a further militarization of the conflict.
As of now, it remains to be seen how Macron's proposal will be received by the members of the anti-Islamic State coalition and other global actors.
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