To pressure Macron on Iran, Netanyahu is in Paris

In an effort to win cooperation against Iran's nuclear programme, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. However, the meeting will be overshadowed by a rise in regional violence.

The two would talk about "the worldwide campaign to thwart the Iranian nuclear programme," according to Israel's embassy in Paris.

Netanyahu hopes that the crackdown on domestic protesters and Iran's role in providing drones to Russian invaders in Ukraine would persuade Western partners to abandon efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

Israel, which had previously taken a more neutral approach in the crisis, has reportedly changed its mind and is now considering sending military assistance to Ukraine, according to the prime minister.

According to a diplomatic source who called Iran's nuclear programme "dangerous" and highlighted its involvement in the Ukraine war, France concurs that "firmness" is required in talks with Iran.

Tehran also detains a number of foreign nationals who are perceived as political hostages by Western nations.

Although declaring "France's solidarity with Israel in the face of terrorism," Macron's office said the French president will "reiterate (to Netanyahu) the need for all sides to avoid steps likely to feed the cycle of bloodshed" between Israelis and Palestinians.

While the violence worsens, Netanyahu makes a visit as Israelis and Palestinians trade rockets and missiles over Gaza.

One day after an Israeli operation in the West Bank left 10 Palestinians dead, seven people were killed in a mass shooting by a Palestinian in a synagogue in occupied east Jerusalem a week ago.

According to the Israeli embassy, Netanyahu will also meet with French business executives and representatives of the nation's Jewish community while he is in France through Saturday.