<p>French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the two leaders condemned the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza.</p><p>Macron said they will co-chair a conference on a two-state solution, aimed at "helping revive a political perspective for both Israelis and Palestinians".</p><p>"A return to the ceasefire is essential for the release of all hostages and the protection of civilians," Macron said in a post on X, adding that both leaders discussed the need to work together on the issue of Gaza's future.</p>. <p>The Israeli military on Wednesday resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to health workers in the coastal strip.</p><p>The renewed ground operations came a day after more than 400 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in one of the deadliest episodes since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, shattering a ceasefire that has largely held since January.</p><p>Separately, Macron welcomed the crown prince's Jeddah initiative, which enabled the start of peace negotiations in Ukraine.</p><p>The leaders also discussed Syria and Lebanon.</p><p>"France and Saudi Arabia share the same objectives: a fully sovereign Lebanon and a united, stable Syria engaged in an inclusive transition," Macron said.</p>
<p>French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the two leaders condemned the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza.</p><p>Macron said they will co-chair a conference on a two-state solution, aimed at "helping revive a political perspective for both Israelis and Palestinians".</p><p>"A return to the ceasefire is essential for the release of all hostages and the protection of civilians," Macron said in a post on X, adding that both leaders discussed the need to work together on the issue of Gaza's future.</p>. <p>The Israeli military on Wednesday resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to health workers in the coastal strip.</p><p>The renewed ground operations came a day after more than 400 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in one of the deadliest episodes since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, shattering a ceasefire that has largely held since January.</p><p>Separately, Macron welcomed the crown prince's Jeddah initiative, which enabled the start of peace negotiations in Ukraine.</p><p>The leaders also discussed Syria and Lebanon.</p><p>"France and Saudi Arabia share the same objectives: a fully sovereign Lebanon and a united, stable Syria engaged in an inclusive transition," Macron said.</p>