Macron Says Determined to Secure Release of French Hostages in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)
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Macron Says Determined to Secure Release of French Hostages in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday welcomed Hamas freeing a first group of hostages, assuring the families of French captives held in war-torn Gaza of his "determination" to secure their release.

No French nationals were among the first group released on Friday under an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement that rules Gaza, AFP reported.

"I welcome the release of the first group of hostages... Special thoughts for the French hostages and their families. They can count on our determination," Macron said on X, formerly Twitter.

"We remain mobilized alongside the mediators to secure the release of all hostages," he added.

The French government remains "mobilized for the release of French hostages within the framework of the agreement currently being implemented... and we are working tirelessly to obtain that", the French foreign ministry said in a statement.



Netanyahu Says Iran’s Government Fears Its People More than Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2024. (Reuters)
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Netanyahu Says Iran’s Government Fears Its People More than Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday in a direct message to Iranians that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's government feared the people of Iran more than Israel.

"That’s why they spend so much time and money trying to crush your hopes and curb your dreams," he said in a video message. "Well, I say to you this: Don’t let your dreams die. I hear the whispers: Women, Life, Freedom. Zan, Zendegi, Azadi.

"Don't lose hope. And know that Israel and others in the free world stand with you," Netanyahu said.