Israel must stop killing babies and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron told the BBC.

In an exclusive interview at the Elysee Palace, he said there was “no justification” for the bombing, saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel.

While we recognize Israel’s right to protect itself, we “urge them to stop this bombardment” of Gaza.

But he also stressed that France “unequivocally condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas.

France – like Israel, the US, the UK and other Western nations – considers Hamas a terrorist organization.

Asked if he wanted other leaders – including the US and UK – to join his calls for a ceasefire, he said: “I hope they do.”

Speaking the day after a humanitarian aid conference in Paris on the war in Gaza, Mr Macron said the “clear conclusion” of all governments and agencies present at that summit was “that there is no solution but first a humanitarian pause, ceasefire, which will allow us to protect … all civilians who have nothing to do with terrorists.”

“De facto – today, civilians are being bombed – de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are being bombed and killed. So there is no reason for this and no legitimacy. So we urge Israel to stop.”

He said it was not his role to judge whether international law had been violated.