French President Emmanuel Macron has demanded an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, according to a press release from Elysee Palace.

It came as Macron hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the palace, just a few hours before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.

Macron spoke with his Israeli counterpart as part of talks on the sidelines of the Olympics, and was expected to reiterate his commitment to “ensuring the safety of Israeli athletes”.

With the Israeli war on Gaza continuing to escalate, the Israeli team’s participation has been a subject of controversy within the pro-Palestinian community.

“Faced with the unbearable human toll among the civilian population of Gaza and the unsustainable humanitarian situation, the president will call for the conclusion without further delay of an immediate and lasting ceasefire to allow the release of all the “hostages” of Hamas, including that of our two compatriots, as well as the huge delivery of medical and humanitarian aid,” the press release read.