French president questions Israel's plan to destroy Hamas

ANKARA

French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday that Israel's goal of destroying Hamas is not convincing.

Macron emphasized that the Israeli government needs to define its goals and ultimate purpose more clearly at a news conference during the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai.

He asked if anyone believed it was possible to completely destroy Hamas. "If this is the case, the war will last 10 years," he said.

Highlighting that security obtained at the expense of Palestinian lives would not be lasting for Israel, Macron pointed out Israel's right to self-defense but underscored the importance of being within the framework of international law and avoiding the targeting of civilians.

Macron said there are no double standards for France and all lives are equal.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul