French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for a cease-fire in the war between Hamas militant group and Israel, as international negotiators work on a three-day pause in the fighting in exchange for the release of about a dozen hostages.

Mr. Macron made the remark in Paris during a conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza, which has been under relentless bombardment by Israel since Hamas launched its Oct. 7 rampage that killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

“In the immediate term, we need to work on protecting civilians. To do that, we need a humanitarian pause very quickly and we must work towards a ceasefire,” Mr. Macron told conference delegates, according to Agence France-Presse.

Six Americans are believed to be among the dozen hostages who would be released if the negotiations succeed. Hamas abducted some 240 people after forcing its way across the Gaza border and attacked several communities in southern Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has downplayed the notion of a cease-fire with Hamas without a release of hostages.

Israel has the right to defend itself and a duty to protect its own people, Mr. Macron said, while noting that it also has the responsibility to protect civilians, AFP reported.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told delegates in Paris that Israel is violating international law by exceeding what is necessary to ensure its self-defense.

“How many Palestinians must die for this war to stop?” Mr. Shoukry asked. “Is it enough to kill six children and four women every hour?”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.