France urges Israel to halt Gaza 'massacre'

France has called on Israel to “stop the massacre taking place today in Gaza,” government spokesperson Sophie Primas said on Monday.

She emphasised that Paris is also demanding the release of captives still held by Hamas, the demilitarisation of the Palestinian group, and the renewal of the Palestinian Authority, AFP reported.

These conditions, she added, are necessary for moving towards the recognition of a Palestinian state, a goal French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined for June.