New york: French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the call for a peaceful two-state solution as he is expected to announce France's recognition of the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron emphasized in a video released on the social media platform X that France's vision involves two states existing peacefully side by side: Israel recognizing Palestine and Palestine recognizing Israel. He highlighted the ongoing "pain," "suffering," and "distress" experienced by people in Gaza and those living "under the bombings without access to humanitarian aid."

Macron stressed the equality of all lives and expressed France's desire for peace amidst the "stolen lives" and suffering. He reiterated that recognizing a state of Palestine is only the "beginning of a path," with specific conditions and requirements for the parties involved.

In a CBS News interview on Sunday, Macron mentioned that the release of Israeli hostages is a "clear condition" for opening an embassy in Palestine. He also disagreed with recent UN investigators' conclusions that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, suggesting that such a determination is for judges and historians based on evidence and jurisprudence.

On the international stage, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced their recognition of Palestine on Sunday, increasing the total number of UN member states recognizing Palestine to 153 out of 193. Additionally, eleven other countries, including Malta, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, and Armenia, declared their plans to recognize Palestine during the UN General Assembly's 80th session this month in New York, where global leaders will gather for the General Debate.