French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday, as diplomatic efforts intensify to solidify a fragile ceasefire in Gaza that has held for nearly a month. The talks will focus on ensuring the “full implementation” of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to the Élysée Palace.
The ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump on October 10, paused more than two years of devastating conflict triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Despite the truce, sporadic violence has continued, with reports of renewed Israeli airstrikes and clashes in northern Gaza.
Paris Steps Up Role in Middle East Diplomacy
President Macron’s meeting with Abbas marks France’s latest push to reassert itself as a key player in Middle East diplomacy. In September, Macron made headlines by formally recognizing a Palestinian state during a United Nations summit, a move that drew sharp criticism from Israel but was praised as “historic and courageous” by Palestinian officials.
“The two leaders will discuss the next steps in the peace plan — particularly in the areas of security, governance, and reconstruction,” the French presidency said in a statement.
France has positioned itself as a bridge between Western allies and Arab nations, seeking to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza while promoting political reforms within the Palestinian Authority (PA). The Élysée noted that reforming the PA is “essential for the establishment of a democratic and sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel.”
Trump’s Role in the Ceasefire Agreement
The ceasefire deal remains a central element of Trump’s foreign policy legacy in his second term. Last week, Trump said that an International Stabilization Force tasked with monitoring the truce would be deployed in Gaza “very soon.”
Analysts say Macron’s meeting with Abbas signals growing European support for a long-term peace framework that could see the Palestinian Authority assume administrative control over Gaza — a key condition of the current ceasefire plan.
Challenges Ahead
Mahmoud Abbas, now 89, has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005 but faces internal challenges as calls grow for leadership renewal and institutional reform. Observers believe the Paris talks may also touch on potential PA restructuring to prepare for post-war governance in Gaza.
For Macron, the stakes are high. His government has faced criticism from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups over France’s position during the war. By meeting Abbas, Macron aims to underline France’s commitment to peace and stability in the region — and to reaffirm its independence in international diplomacy.
