Istanbul, October 20, 2025 – In a significant diplomatic exchange, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron have jointly called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the establishment of a two-state solution to address the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The announcement, reported by the Saudi Press Agency, underscores a shared commitment to fostering peace and stability in the Middle East while addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) (Photo by Dursun Aydemir)
The leaders held a phone call on Sunday, October 19, 2025, to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and explore pathways to end the conflict that has ravaged the region. According to the Saudi Press Agency, both leaders emphasized the “immediate necessity to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.” They also advocated for “practical steps toward achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution,” a framework that envisions an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, with mutually agreed borders.
This call comes in the wake of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which took effect on October 10, 2025, brokered under a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, an exchange of prisoners, the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, and the disarmament of the Palestinian group Hamas. The ceasefire marks the end of a devastating war that erupted on October 8, 2023, resulting in over 68,000 deaths, predominantly Palestinians, and the destruction of approximately 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools. The war, backed by U.S. military and diplomatic support, drew widespread international condemnation for its toll on civilian lives and infrastructure.
The conversation between Crown Prince Mohammed and President Macron reflects a broader international push for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two-state solution, a cornerstone of diplomatic efforts for decades, has gained renewed momentum in recent months. During the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, 10 additional countries formally recognized the State of Palestine, bringing the total number of UN member states acknowledging Palestinian statehood to 157 out of 193, according to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry. This growing recognition signals a shift in global sentiment toward supporting Palestinian self-determination, though significant challenges remain in translating diplomatic gestures into tangible progress.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a focal point of the discussion between the Saudi and French leaders. The war’s aftermath has left Gaza in dire straits, with widespread food insecurity, lack of access to clean water, and a collapsed healthcare system. The ceasefire agreement’s provision for immediate humanitarian aid aims to address these urgent needs, but aid organizations warn that the scale of destruction requires a long-term, coordinated international response. The leaders’ emphasis on alleviating Palestinian suffering aligns with calls from the United Nations and other global bodies for increased aid and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Crown Prince Mohammed and President Macron also stressed the importance of reinforcing security and stability across the Middle East. The Gaza conflict has had ripple effects, exacerbating tensions in the region and complicating relations between Israel and its neighbors. Saudi Arabia, a key regional player, has increasingly positioned itself as a mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts, leveraging its economic and diplomatic influence. France, meanwhile, has a long history of advocating for a balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often emphasizing the need for dialogue and adherence to international law.
The two-state solution, while widely endorsed in principle, faces significant obstacles. Israel’s government has historically resisted calls for a full withdrawal from occupied territories, citing security concerns. The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, considered illegal under international law, further complicates negotiations over borders and land swaps. On the Palestinian side, internal divisions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, coupled with the economic and social challenges in Gaza and the West Bank, pose additional hurdles to achieving a unified negotiating position.
The ceasefire agreement, while a step forward, is fragile. The disarmament of Hamas, a key component of the deal, remains contentious, as the group has played a significant role in Palestinian resistance but is designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and several other countries. The prisoner exchange, another critical element, involves complex negotiations over the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees. Both sides have expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire but remain wary of potential violations.
The international community’s response to the Gaza crisis and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been mixed. While the recognition of Palestine by additional UN member states is a diplomatic victory for the Palestinian cause, key powers, including the United States, have yet to fully endorse Palestinian statehood. The U.S. role in brokering the ceasefire highlights its influence in the region, but its unwavering support for Israel has drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly in the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in advocating for a two-state solution is particularly noteworthy given its evolving relationship with Israel. In recent years, there have been signs of warming ties between Riyadh and Jerusalem, driven by shared concerns about Iran’s regional influence. However, Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that normalization with Israel is contingent on progress toward Palestinian statehood, a stance reiterated by Crown Prince Mohammed in his call with Macron.
France, under Macron’s leadership, has sought to position itself as a neutral broker in the Middle East, advocating for multilateral approaches to conflict resolution. Macron has previously called for an end to Israeli settlement expansion and urged both sides to return to the negotiating table. France’s support for the two-state solution aligns with the European Union’s broader policy, though the EU has struggled to translate its diplomatic positions into concrete influence on the ground.
The phone call between Crown Prince Mohammed and President Macron underscores the urgency of addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at a time when the region stands at a crossroads. The ceasefire in Gaza provides a window of opportunity, but sustained international pressure and cooperation will be essential to move beyond temporary truces toward a lasting resolution. The leaders’ emphasis on practical steps suggests a focus on actionable measures, such as rebuilding Gaza, ensuring accountability for war crimes, and restarting peace negotiations.
As the international community watches closely, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire holds and whether the renewed push for a two-state solution can gain traction. For the people of Gaza, who have endured unimaginable loss and hardship, the hope for peace remains intertwined with the need for immediate humanitarian relief and a path toward self-determination. The joint call from Saudi Arabia and France serves as a reminder that global leaders have a responsibility to translate words into action, ensuring that the vision of a just and comprehensive peace becomes a reality.
