French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for intensified efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, a day after deadly fighting resumed between Israel and Hamas after a truce expired, AFP reports.

“This situation requires stepped-up efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire,” to free all hostages held by Hamas, allow more urgently needed aid into Gaza and assure Israel of its security, he told a news conference on the sidelines of the UN’s COP28 climate talks in Dubai.