Israeli representatives will not attend a humanitarian conference for Gaza that is scheduled to take place in Paris, according to a statement from French President Emmanuel Macron's office. Despite not physically participating in the conference, Israel maintains an interest in improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as stated by an official from Macron's office. The French president has been actively engaging with international leaders regarding the Gaza crisis, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Egypt and Qatar play a significant role in efforts to provide aid to Gaza. The conflict in Gaza has intensified following the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas militants, which resulted in the deadliest war Gaza has ever witnessed. Hamas militants entered Israeli territory, killing over 1,400 individuals, mostly civilians, and taking more than 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials. In retaliation, the Israeli military campaign, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, has claimed the lives of over 10,500 individuals, including many children.

The hurriedly organized aid conference is taking place alongside the annual Paris Peace Forum on November 10-11. It comes in response to growing calls for humanitarian pauses or a full ceasefire to enable the entry of aid into Gaza and to support efforts to secure the release of hostages. The international community has expressed apprehension regarding the wellbeing of civilians in Gaza, the majority of whom are unable to escape the sealed-off territory.

Calls for a ceasefire have intensified, but Israel remains steadfast in its offensive, with the primary objective of dismantling Hamas, which has been governing Gaza since 2007. Netanyahu has made it clear that no fuel will be delivered to Gaza and no ceasefire will occur without the release of the hostages. The United Nations estimates that $1.2 billion in aid will be required for the populations of Gaza and the West Bank by the end of the year.