Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday strongly criticized Israel's recent decision to expand its military operations in Gaza City and the Mawasi camps, labeling it as 'a predicted disaster of unprecedented gravity.' Macron's remarks came during an interview with French news broadcaster BFMTV, where he expressed deep concern over the potential repercussions of Israel's actions.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron emphasized that the Israeli Cabinet's announcement signifies a perilous escalation that could lead to a permanent state of war. He asserted that both Israeli hostages and the residents of Gaza would be the principal victims of this strategy. Macron also renewed his call for an immediate and enduring ceasefire to halt the ongoing conflict.

The situation in Gaza has drawn significant international attention, with Israel facing widespread criticism for its military offensive since October 2023. The operation has resulted in the deaths of over 61,000 Palestinians, nearly half of whom are women and children, and has left the enclave on the brink of famine. Despite international appeals for a ceasefire, Israel's Security Cabinet recently approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to further expand military operations and fully occupy Gaza City.

The international judicial community has also weighed in on the situation. Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in a previous interim ruling, indicated that Israel's actions in Gaza could potentially amount to genocide. The ICJ called for provisional measures to ensure that Israel complies with international law and facilitates the delivery of aid and services to Palestinians under siege.