PARIS, Oct 13, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged Israel to show a strong but fair response to the attack by Hamas, while condemning the "blind murderous hatred" and "absolute cruelty" of the Palestinian militant group.

Macron said in an address to the nation that Israel had the right to defend itself "by eliminating terrorist groups, including Hamas, with targeted actions but preserving the civilian population", adding that the "only response to terrorism is one that is... strong but fair".