Macron urges Israel to stop killing women and babies

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Israel must stop killing women and babies in Gaza. 

"De facto - today, civilians are bombed - de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop," he said during an interview with the BBC. 

"We do share [Israel's] pain. And we do share their willingness to get rid of terrorism. We know what terrorism means in France," Macron said, but added that there was no justification for the bombardment of civilians. 

"It's extremely important for all of us because of our principles, because we are democracies. It's important for the mid-to-long run as well for the security of Israel itself, to recognise that all lives matter."

During the interview, he refused to say whether Israel had broken international law. 

He went on to call for a ceasefire, and said he hoped other leaders, including in the UK and US, would join his calls.