French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Friday that recognizing the State of Palestine is "not just a moral duty, but a political imperative," as international pressure mounts for urgent action to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Speaking amid growing calls for European intervention, Macron urged EU nations to adopt a firmer and more unified position on Israel’s military conduct. "European countries must tighten the collective position if Israel fails to respond in a manner that matches the severity of the humanitarian situation in Gaza in the coming hours and days," he warned.

Macron’s remarks signal a potential shift in France’s diplomatic posture as the crisis in Gaza deepens, with thousands of civilians killed and much of the territory’s infrastructure in ruins due to ongoing Israeli attacks.

The French president’s statement comes ahead of a high-level international conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to take place from June 17 to 20, the United Nations-backed summit will aim to lay out a concrete roadmap for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, based on internationally recognized borders and long-standing UN resolutions.

The upcoming summit is expected to draw significant international attention, as calls intensify for a political resolution to the conflict and for accountability regarding alleged violations of international law in Gaza. (ILKHA)