Macron says 'everything will be done' to bring back French hostages from Gaza

President Emmanuel Macron has spoken for the first time to the families of French nationals held hostage by Hamas, assuring them that France was working to secure their safe release.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video-conference at the Elysee Palace on 20 October 2023 with the families of French hostages held in Gaza. © AFP / BENOIT TESSIER

The president's office said that Macron had told the families of the hostages: "Everything will be done for them to come back safe and sound to France."

"France does not abandon its citizens," Macron posted on social media.

J'ai pu échanger à l’instant avec des familles d’otages français retenus par le Hamas.

Je le dis ici à tous : la France n'abandonne pas les siens. Nous faisons tout notre possible pour obtenir la libération et le retour de nos compatriotes.

La Nation se tient à leurs côtés.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 20, 2023

Macron spoke to the families on Friday by video link-up, for the first time since they were captured in Israel during the attack launched on 7 October by the Palestinian movement Hamas.

He assured them of the full mobilisation of the French state as well as state services to obtain their release, the Elysée said.

"The President of the Republic reiterated to the families his support and that of all French people in the face of this terrible ordeal and his determination to fight tirelessly against all forms of terrorism," its statement added.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, who met in person in Tel Aviv last weekend with families of French victims of the attack, was also on the call.

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French President Emmanuel Macron, flanked by French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and Secretary-General of the Elysee Palace Alexis Kohler, attends a video-conference at the presidential palace with the families of the French hostages held in Gaza, on 20 October 2023. © AFP / BENOIT TESSIER

According to the Foreign Ministry, at least 28 French people have died in the attacks on Israel and seven others are still missing, including some held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

In all, more than 1,400 people have been killed on Israeli territory by Hamas since 7 October, the majority civilians, according to Israeli authorities. Over 4,100 Palestinians died in Israel's retaliation attacks on the Gaza Strip. 

Hamas kidnapped 203 hostages, including foreigners from more than twenty countries.

President Macron said earlier this week that "intense discussions" were underway to obtain the release of the hostages.

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"They are moving forward, we are monitoring these discussions hour by hour," he said on Tuesday, stressing that Paris had "contacts, obviously, with the Israeli authorities", but also with "intermediate friendly powers with Hamas".

The Palestinian organisation broadcast a video of a 21-year-old Franco-Israeli hostage, Mia Shem, the day before.

Shem's mother has begged "world leaders" to help free her daughter.

(with newswires)