Macron in Jordan to discuss aid for Gaza

(Patria) - French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Jordan on Thursday for talks with King Abdullah II, AFP reported.

The French president was welcomed by the Jordanian king upon landing in the Red Sea port city of Aqaba. This is the second meeting between the two leaders since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. Macron toured the Middle East at the end of October in a show of solidarity with Israel.

Paris has since changed its tone, calling for a ceasefire in the fighting that has so far killed at least 20,000 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children.

Macron and Abdullah II will discuss "joint work on humanitarian and medical aid for the civilian population of Gaza," according to the French presidency.

Two French planes loaded with humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory are expected to arrive in Amman in the coming days.

Shortly before his trip to Jordan, the French president said on Wednesday that Israel's right to defend itself does not mean that the country can "level Gaza".

"We cannot allow the idea to take root that an effective fight against terrorism involves leveling Gaza or indiscriminately attacking the civilian population," Macron said.