Total destruction of Hamas would unleash a decade of war: French President Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Israel’s goal to eliminate Hamas would unleash a decade of war.

Achieving the “total destruction of Hamas” would mean “the war will last 10 years”, Macron said at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN’s COP28 climate talks in Dubai.

“So this objective must be clarified,” he added.

Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas since it launched an all-out offensive against the country on October 7.

Macron also appealed for intensified efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, a day after deadly fighting resumed between Israel and Hamas militants after a truce expired.

“This situation requires stepped-up efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire, to free all hostages held by Hamas, allow more urgently needed aid into Gaza, and assure Israel of its security,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israel will hunt down Hamas leaders across the world after completing its operation in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked spy agencies in the country to draw up plans to assassinate Hamas’ top leaders living outside of Gaza in Qatar, Turkey and Lebanon.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Israel has been carrying out secret operations to assassinate senior Hamas leaders for decades now and the latest plot is an extension of it.

Countries like Qatar, Turkey, Iran and Russia have provided a haven to Hamas. Under its previous plans, Israel has been able to hunt down Hamas terrorists disguised as women in Beirut and tourists in Dubai.

With inputs from agencies