French President Emmanuel Macron visited Tel Aviv on Tuesday (24 October) to demonstrate France’s solidarity with Israel following the 7 October attacks by Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group.

More than two weeks after Hamas militants entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials reported that at least 1,400 people, primarily civilians, lost their lives on the first day of the raid. Among the victims, 30 were French citizens, reported NDTV.

Macron’s visit included a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express France’s unwavering support for Israel after the attack.

He also aimed to advocate for the protection of the civilian population in Gaza, given Israel’s ongoing intense airstrikes and plans for a ground invasion of the densely populated Palestinian territory.

Macron intended to push for a “humanitarian truce” to allow aid to reach Gaza, where 2.4 million people have been suffering from severe shortages of essential resources such as water, food, and electricity.

The French president had also planned meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as well as opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid in Jerusalem.

There are currently seven French citizens missing, and one of the over 200 people reportedly taken hostage by Hamas, has been confirmed as a French woman.

Macron expressed concern for the remaining individuals believed to be hostages, although there has been no official confirmation of their status.

Macron’s plans also include presenting a renewed peace process to establish a sustainable Palestinian state, involving commitments from regional powers to ensure Israel’s security.

Notably, several other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have visited Israel in recent times.