AFPFrench Foreign Minister Colonna and army spokesman Rafowitcz
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 14:17
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom have called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
British Minister Cameron and his German counterpart Baerbock write in a joint article in The Sunday Times that there is “an urgent need” for a “lasting ceasefire” in Gaza. They add that this does not necessarily mean that it will take effect immediately, but that everything must be done to “pave the way” to such a lasting ceasefire. This should ultimately lead to lasting peace, the pair write. “The faster the better.”
Not long after the publication of the newspaper, French minister Colonna also called for an immediate ceasefire. She was visiting Israel at that time. According to Colonna, too many civilians are currently being killed in the Gaza Strip.
France has been calling for a truce for some time. President Macron, among others, has already spoken out about this. Germany and the United Kingdom appear to be leaning more towards Israel. This week they abstained from voting on a UN resolution on this issue, just like the Netherlands.
Step-by-step
Cameron and Baerbock emphasize that the process must take place step by step and that Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel has been forced to do this, they write, by the “barbaric attack by Hamas, which continues to fire rockets every day to kill Israeli civilians. Hamas must lay down its weapons.”
Colonna also spoke in Israel about the suffering on the Israeli side. She emphasized that attention must also continue to be paid to the hostages and the terrorist acts committed by Hamas on October 7. She also spoke about sexual violence that was probably used by Hamas terrorists. “Of course, France believes the testimonies of these female victims,” she said.
Longer term safety
“Anyone who wants an end to suffering must work together to find a solution that provides long-term security for both peoples,” Cameron and Baerbock wrote. “A two-state solution requires that both sides feel safe to live side by side.”
Israel is under increasing international pressure to impose a ceasefire. The war with Hamas has already cost the lives of at least 18,800 people, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry.
Yesterday, the Israeli news site Walla reported that the head of the Israeli intelligence service Mossad spoke with the Prime Minister of Qatar. That could be a prelude to an attempt to reach a new agreement on the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians in Israeli prisons. There was also reportedly talk of another pause in fighting.
Israel says little about negotiations. Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant and former minister Gantz spoke at a press conference about destroying Hamas. That is their top priority.
2023-12-17 13:17:48
#Ministers #France #Germany #call #ceasefire
