Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the accelerating expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank represents an existential threat to the prospect of a Palestinian state. His remarks came at the opening of a high-level conference in Paris bringing together European and Arab foreign ministers to discuss the future of Gaza, following a recently announced ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that includes the release of hostages.

According to Qatar News Agency, Macron described the settlement activity as not only unacceptable and contrary to international law, but also as a driver of tensions, violence, and instability. It runs counter to the American plan and the shared ambition for a peaceful region, he added.

The French president also stressed that the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority must no longer remain a vague aspiration. Looking ahead, Macron underlined that Palestinians must ultimately govern Gaza themselves. He said this administration should form the basis for a political horizon consistent with the vision outlined by US President Donald Trump, including Palestinian self-determination and statehood.