PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to discuss the fighting between Israel and Hamas, Reuters reports quoting a statement from Macron’s office.

Qatar has also played an increasingly important role as a mediator — in January, Qatar and France brokered a deal with Israel and Hamas to deliver urgent medication to Israeli hostages.

“The President condemned recent Israeli air strikes that have targeted UN schools as well as displaced citizens in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp which have left a large number of civilian victims,” Macron’s office said in a statement.

“He also reaffirmed France’s insistence that Hamas immediately release the hostages,” it added