French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the “full implementation” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the Élysée Palace confirmed.
The meeting takes place a month into a fragile truce between Hamas and Israel, following two years of conflict that began with the Palestinian militant group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Abbas, 89, has been the long-standing head of the Palestinian Authority, which holds limited control over parts of the West Bank. The Authority is also being considered to assume governance in Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire deal.
Focus on Peace, Security, and Reconstruction
The two leaders are expected to discuss the next steps in the peace process, with particular attention on security, governance, and reconstruction efforts, according to the French presidency.
The ceasefire, brokered by former US President Donald Trump on October 10, has faced challenges, including renewed Israeli airstrikes and claims of Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers.
Trump recently stated that he expected an International Stabilisation Force, tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, to be deployed to Gaza “very soon”.
Macron’s Recognition of Palestinian Statehood
The meeting also comes after Macron’s decision in September to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations summit — a move hailed as “historic and courageous” by the Palestinian Authority.
During the talks with Abbas, Macron is expected to discuss the critical need for continued humanitarian aid access to Gaza and address necessary reforms within the Palestinian Authority.
The Élysée added that reforming the governing body is essential for creating a “democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, living in peace and security alongside Israel.”
Casualties of the Ongoing Conflict
The October 2023 attack by Hamas led to the deaths of 1,221 people on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
In response, the Israeli military’s retaliatory campaign has claimed more than 69,000 Palestinian lives, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The ministry, which is regarded as reliable by the United Nations, has not disclosed the number of fighters included in this toll.