Emmanuel Macron calls Gaza situation ‘shameful’, says Strait of Hormuz must not be used for ‘blackmail’

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday described the situation in Gaza as ldquoshamefulrdquo while questioning the international communityrsquos response to the humanitarian crisis as leaders addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General AssemblyMacron also said the Strait of Hormuz should not be used for ldquoblackmailrdquo and called for the strategic waterway to be reopened to maritime navigation His remarks came as the conflict involving Iran and the wider Middle East remained a key focus of discussions at the UN General AssemblyMacron questions international response to GazaSpeaking at the UN General Assembly Macron questioned the credibility of the international community if it remained inactive over the situation in Gaza He also rejected claims that the humanitarian situation had improved sufficiently pointing to continued difficulties in delivering aidldquoWhat is our credibility worth if we remain inactive on Gaza Some claim that peace has been achieved but this has not opened up humanitarian deliveries The spectacle it is shamefulrdquo Macron saidMacronrsquos comments came as the Gaza conflict and the broader Middle East crisis dominated discussions at the UN with several leaders calling for diplomatic efforts to address the regionrsquos conflictsFrench president calls for Hormuz reopeningMacron also addressed the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz a key maritime route for global energy supplies He said the waterway should not be used as a means of political pressure and stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigationldquoIt is in the interest of all of us for vessels to be able to transit through the Strait The reopening of the Hormuz Strait is a priority and the respect of international law is also a priorityrdquo he saidFrance has also been considering a UN Security Council resolution aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz according to diplomatic sourcesQatar urges diplomacy to resolve Gulf crisisQatarrsquos Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also addressed the regional crisis at the UN General Assembly saying the Gulf was going through ldquoone of the most dangerous phasesrdquo because of the USIsrael war with IranSheikh Tamim said the crisis could be addressed through diplomatic means and reiterated Qatarrsquos position as a mediator in regional conflicts He said diplomacy could help achieve a lasting solution that provides security for the entire region including IranldquoWe remain convinced that the crisis in the Gulf can be resolved through diplomatic means through reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation in order to avert warrdquo Sheikh Tamim saidHe said Qatar was making ldquoeverything in our power to address the conflict in the region through diplomatic meansrdquo while remaining ldquosteadfastrdquo in protecting its territory and sovereigntyThe Qatari emirrsquos comments came amid efforts by regional countries to encourage diplomacy and reduce tensions linked to the conflict involving the United States and IranJordanrsquos King Abdullah criticises Israeli actionsJordanrsquos King Abdullah II meanwhile criticised Israelrsquos military actions in Gaza and its policies in the West Bank during his address to the General Assembly calling for stronger international actionAbdullah accused the Israeli government of prolonging the war in Gaza and undermining efforts by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict He also alleged that Israeli policies in the West Bank were resulting in a ldquofundamental shiftrdquo through what he described as ldquode facto annexationrdquo and increasing settler violenceldquoPresident Trump has pushed hard for peace and a path to end this warrdquo Abdullah told the assemblyldquoBut this Israeli government keeps moving the goalposts continuing its attacks and destruction of civilian infrastructure refusing to withdraw and squeezing Palestinians into barely a third of Gazardquo he addedAbdullah also raised concerns over settlement expansion land seizures and the displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank saying developments there were making the prospects for a viable Palestinian state more difficult according to his remarks at the UNGuterres reiterates support for twostate solutionUN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres meanwhile reiterated support for a twostate solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict describing it as the only credible path to lasting peace and security for Palestinians Israelis and the wider regionThe twoState solution is the only credible path to lasting peace amp security for Palestinians Israelis amp the wider regionThe objective is clear two independent sovereign amp democratic States Israel amp Palestine living side by side in peace amp securityThere is simply nohellip pictwittercomP0iegbCUIvmdash Antoacutenio Guterres antonioguterres September 22 2026ldquoThe objective is clear two independent sovereign amp democratic States Israel amp Palestine living side by side in peace amp security There is simply no alternativerdquo Guterres saidWith inputs from ANI