Netanyahu's Response to Macron's Criticism: Do Not Condemn Israel, Hamas is Responsible for Civilian Deaths in Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, in response to Emmanuel Macron, the President of France's request to stop bombings in Gaza, stated that Hamas is responsible for the civilian deaths in this conflict. Netanyahu said in a statement: "Israel does everything it can to avoid harming civilians, but Hamas uses them as human shields." He added: "Hamas has taken women, children, and the elderly hostage and uses schools, mosques, and hospitals as military bases." Netanyahu stated: "Hamas is responsible for the crimes committed in Gaza. These crimes could occur anywhere else in the world. World leaders must condemn Hamas." Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, in an interview with the BBC on Friday, described Israel's bombings in Gaza as inhumane and said these attacks must stop immediately. Macron stated: "In Gaza, civilians, including innocent women and children, are being killed. These bombings have no legitimacy and must be stopped immediately." He added: "Israel has the right to defend itself, but this right should not come at the cost of Palestinian civilian lives." Macron had previously called for an immediate halt to the bombings in Gaza during a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas killed at least 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in a terrorist attack on October 7 and kidnapped about 240 Israelis and foreign nationals, including children, women, and the elderly. The United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have classified Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israel claims it is cooperating with the Red Cross for humanitarian aid in Gaza, but Hamas is obstructing it. Hamas has taken a prominent Israeli-Palestinian peace advocate hostage. Hamas confirmed clashes with the Israeli army around the Shifa hospital in Gaza. The World Health Organization stated that the health condition of Israeli hostages in Gaza is concerning. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia stated that Israel's attacks on Gaza violate humanitarian laws. An Israeli army spokesperson stated: "Our enemies in the north cannot divert our focus from Gaza." The Israeli army claims to have seized important Hamas bases in Gaza and killed 150 "terrorists."