PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the “full implementation” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the Elysee Palace announced.
The meeting comes as the fragile truce between Hamas and Israel enters its second month, following two years of conflict that began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Abbas, 89, who leads the Palestinian Authority (PA) with limited control over parts of the West Bank, is being considered to take a governance role in Gaza under the ceasefire framework.
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According to the French presidency, Macron and Abbas will discuss next steps in the peace plan, focusing on security, governance, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
The ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump on October 10, has faced several tests amid reports of renewed Israeli strikes and alleged Palestinian attacks on Israeli forces. Trump recently said he expected an International Stabilisation Force to be deployed in Gaza “very soon” to oversee the truce’s implementation.
Tuesday’s meeting follows Macron’s September decision to recognise a Palestinian state during a United Nations summit, a move widely welcomed by the Palestinian Authority as “historic and courageous.”
The French president is expected to emphasize the importance of maintaining humanitarian aid access to Gaza and reforming the Palestinian Authority, which France views as crucial to building a “democratic and sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel.”
Also Read : France recognises Palestinian state at UN summit
France has officially recognised the State of Palestine, joining a growing list of Western countries making similar moves ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the recognition during the summit, receiving a standing ovation from the Palestinian delegation. He described the decision as a step toward “peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people” and urged renewed efforts for dialogue and stability in the Middle East.
The Palestinian Authority hailed France’s recognition as a “historic and courageous decision” that aligns with international law and United Nations resolutions.
In a statement from Ramallah, the Palestinian foreign ministry said the move supports ongoing efforts to implement the two-state solution and achieve long-term peace. Palestinian officials said such recognition strengthens their struggle for sovereignty amid escalating violence in Gaza.