French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan have called on Israel to lift all land-based “restrictions” on the delivery of aid to conflict-torn Gaza, the presidency said.

According to AFP, over lunch at the Elysee Palace, Macron and Abdullah II reiterated the need for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza” and called for the release of all hostages — including two French nationals.

The leaders also “expressed their deep concern about the situation in the West Bank and strongly condemned the violence committed by settlers”, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

They agreed to continue to work together on a “lasting and credible solution” to the crisis based on the “two-state solution” and welcomed reforms undertaken by the Palestinian government and called for them to be continued.

Referring to the intensification of tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border, Macron and Abdullah II warned against a “conflagration that would be catastrophic for the region”, and reiterated their calls to all parties for “responsibility and restraint”.

 Jordan’s King Abdallah II (2ndR) is welcomed by France’s President Emmanuel Macron (R) as Jordan’s Queen Rania (2nL) and French First Lady Brigitte Macron look on prior to a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on June 24, 2024. — AFP
Jordan’s King Abdallah II (2ndR) is welcomed by France’s President Emmanuel Macron (R) as Jordan’s Queen Rania (2nL) and French First Lady Brigitte Macron look on prior to a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on June 24, 2024. — AFP

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