Jerusalem (AFP) – “The first objective we should have today is the release of all hostages” says French President Emmanuel Macron at a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem. Macron’s visit added to the chorus of Western support for Israel after Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out an attack on the country on 7 October. 30 French people were killed in the onslaught and nine French people are missing, with at least one confirmed to be among more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas. Israel says Palestinian militants killed more than 1,400 people. The Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza Strip says relentless Israeli bombardment of the besieged enclave has killed more than 5,000 people, including more than 1,800 children.
