Buildings are decimated after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, October 3, 2024. Photo: Xinhua/VNA

According to the Office’s statament, the two sides discussed the Middle East situation in the spirit of frankness and respect for the French-Israeli friendship.

The two leaders accepted different perspectives and wanted to build mutual understanding. The French President reminded of the mobilization of French military resources in its defense during the attacks carried out by Iran in recent months, the statement said.

Relations between France and Israel have become strained as Macron on Saturday said "the priority is that we return to a political solution" and "that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza", while specifying that France was not supplying any itself.

Netanyahu criticized the statement, saying Israel will win with or without the support of Western countries.