Overview

• Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Emmanuel Macron said Israel is “destroying totally” its image by continuing the Gaza campaign, calling the operations counterproductive and a failure.
• France will formalize recognition at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22 within a process tied to a recent UN declaration that excludes Hamas, and countries including Canada, Australia and Belgium have signaled they may align.
• Macron said he offered to travel to Israel to explain the policy but was refused, and he stated he would continue working with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• He left open the prospect of economic sanctions against Israel if the newest phase of the Gaza offensive continues.
• Israeli forces intensified strikes on Gaza City, driving large civilian displacement, with the army reporting four soldiers killed, and far‑right minister Bezalel Smotrich advanced a plan to annex much of the West Bank.