According to France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, Israel’s safety and security cannot be guaranteed only with military force but will require a diplomatic solution.
Barrot made the comments on a visit to the country on the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks that triggered the war on Gaza.
Barrot told reporters that military success cannot be a substitute for a political perspective.
“To bring the hostages home to their loved ones, to allow the displaced to return home in the north, after a year of war, the time for diplomacy has come.”
Jean-Noël Barrot
He added that the French-US proposal for a ceasefire to end fighting in Lebanon remains on the table with parties continuing to work on it.
Barrot said that France remained a staunch defender of Israel’s security, but that it was vital to be frank about the civilian suffering in Gaza, adding, “We have a responsibility to act today to avoid Lebanon finding itself in a short horizon in a dramatic situation like Syria found itself a few years ago.”
Barrot’s comments come after French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, October 5, 2024, urged a halt to arms deliveries to Israel because of the relentless bombing of Gaza, and after it launched a military operation against Lebanon.
Prior to the French Foreign Minister’s remarkes, Giora Eiland, the former head of Israel’s National Security Council, stated in an interview that continuing the war on two fronts won’t serve Israel’s interest and it would be “wise” to open the door to political settlements.
He said that Israel will not be able to achieve complete victory in Gaza or Lebanon.
Eiland reiterated that Hamas and Hezbollah “will not surrender and there will always be those who continue to fire.”
“It is unfortunate to continue believing that military pressure in Gaza and Lebanon alone can achieve salvation.”
Giora Eiland
Separately, Pope Francis, in an open letter to Catholics in the Middle East, slammed the “shameful inability” of world leaders to end the war on Gaza.
“Blood is still being shed, as are tears. Anger is growing, along with the desire for revenge, while it seems that few people care about what is most needed and what is most desired: dialogue and peace.”
Pope Francis
The Pope also told people of every religion in the region who are “suffering from the insanity of war” that he is with them.
Israel Changing Security Reality In Region
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted by his office as saying in a cabinet address that Israel is changing the security reality in the region.
He added that Israel is doing so for the sake of “our children, for the sake of our future, to ensure that what happened on October 7 will not happen again. Never again.”
Earlier, Netanyahu pledged to bring back all captives in Gaza as Israel marked the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attack.
“On this day, in this place, and in many places across our country, we remember our dead, our hostages, whom we are obligated to bring back and our heroes who fell in defence of the homeland and the nation. We went through a terrible massacre a year ago.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu and West Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion also visited the October 7 memorial for civilians and soldiers who have died since October 7, 2023. “As the months of war taught us well, our strength is in our unity. Only together will we win,” Netanyahu said.
Israeli President, Isaac Herzog also issued the statement, saying that the world has to realise and understand that in order to change the course of history and bring peace, “a better future to the region, it must support Israel in its battle against its enemies.”
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