French President Macron hosts Gaza aid conference, appeals to Israel to protect civilians

Western and Arab nations, international agencies and nongovernmental groups stressed the urgent need for aid for Gaza civilians at a Paris conference on Thursday, held as the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory worsens amid Israel's massive air and ground campaign against Hamas.

The gathering ended a few hours before the White House said Israel has agreed to put in place four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in Gaza, starting on Thursday.

French President Emmanuel Macron opened the conference with an appeal for Israel to protect civilians, saying that “all lives have equal worth” and urging for pauses in the fighting to allow deliveries of desperately needed aid.

“In the immediate term, we need to work on protecting civilians," he said. "To do that, we need a humanitarian pause very quickly and we must work towards a cease-fire.”

The conference brought together officials from over 50 countries, the United Nations and humanitarian organisations as the Gaza Strip is being pounded by Israel in its war against Hamas, sparked by the militants deadly October 7 incursion into southern Israel. Israeli authorities were not invited but have been informed of the talks, Macron's office said. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the conference.