Emmanuel Macron called for a 'ceasefire' in Gaza during his visit to Egypt.

Egypt, along with the United States and Qatar, was one of the main negotiators of a previous ceasefire that came into effect on January 19 between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a new ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas during his meeting with Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo. Macron described the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza following the collapse of the ceasefire in mid-March as "a dramatic setback for the civilian population." He stated, "Negotiations should resume without delay and in a constructive manner. We welcome Egypt's tireless efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages." Together with the United States and Qatar, Egypt was a key negotiator of the previous ceasefire that came into effect on January 19 between Israel and the militant group Hamas. El-Sisi echoed Macron's demands, stating, "As long as the Palestinian cause is not resolved fairly, achieving sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East will remain a distant issue." He added, "The Palestinian people continue to face the horrors of destructive wars that destroy their structures and deprive future generations of the hope for a safer and more stable future." The two leaders also addressed the situation in Syria, emphasizing the importance of "maintaining Syria's unity" in the political process during the transition period, and the need to "restore the flow of ships in the Suez Canal" following attacks targeting Israeli vessels due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Macron's visit, his second to Cairo since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, coincided with a critical period for the Middle East, following Israel's re-imposition of a blockade on Gaza last month and the resumption of hostilities against Hamas, thereby breaking the fragile ceasefire. The war, now in its 18th month, began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. The organization is believed to still hold 59 captives, 24 of whom are thought to be alive.