French President calls for halt in arms delivery to Israel, triggers strong response from Benjamin Netanyahu

Macron also criticised Netanyahu's decision to send troops into ground operations in Lebanon.

"I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza," Macron told French broadcaster France Inter.

"France is not delivering any," he said during the interview, which was recorded Tuesday.

Macron reiterated his concern over the conflict in Gaza which is still continuing despite repeated calls for a ceasefire.

"I think we are not being heard," he said. "I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel," he said, adding that the war was leading to "hatred".

However, his comments did not go well with Netanyahu who said in a statement: "As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel's side."

"Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them."

Israel was fighting a war on several fronts against groups backed by arch-foe Iran, the statement added.

Macron' office responded with a statement of its own later Saturday.

France is a "steadfast friend of Israel", it said, describing Netanyahu's reaction as "excessive and detached from the friendship between France and Israel".