Paris, Aug. 13 -- French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Israel's plan to expand its operations and take control of Gaza City, calling it "a disaster waiting to happen" and proposed an international coalition under a United Nations mandate to stabilise Gaza, France 24 reported.

"This war must end now with a permanent ceasefire," Macron said in a statement, adding Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City was "a disaster of unprecedented gravity and a headlong rush into permanent war," according to France 24.

Last week, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, expanding its military operations in the shattered Palestinian territory, which has drawn strong criticism both domestically and internationally...