French President Emmanuel Macron is set to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East with foreign ministers from major Arab and majority-Muslim countries. The talks, which will be held at the Elysee Palace in Paris, will include diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, and Arab League boss Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Macron has expressed concerns over the civilian casualties in the Israeli-Hamas conflict and has offered medical aid and assistance to wounded civilians.

In addition, France is working towards the release of French citizens who were allegedly taken hostage by Hamas. The country has stood by its initial support for Israeli retaliation over Hamas's attack on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people. Macron recently spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his worries about the high number of civilian casualties among Palestinians. France has already sent medical aid and a naval ship to assist wounded civilians, and it has offered to treat injured children on its territory.

Paris is particularly invested in ending the conflict as eight of its citizens have been missing since October 7 and may have been taken hostage by Hamas. Macron has emphasized France's commitment to freeing all the hostages and welcomed an announcement of an Israel-Hamas deal to release some of them. During a visit to Israel, the French President vowed to support the country in its fight against terrorism, even proposing that France participate in a coalition against Hamas, just as it did against ISIS before. The situation in the Middle East remains tense and complicated, but Macron's efforts, along with the participation of foreign ministers from various countries, may help to bring about a resolution and reduce the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.