Probable truce in Gaza must be coupled with another on Israeli-Lebanese borders: French FM

CAIRO – 1 May 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry received Wednesday France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne who is holding a tour in the Middle East, that included Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, in a bid to broker a ceasefire in Gaza Strip.

The talks extended to the precarious situation on the Lebanese-Israeli borders so as the French minister pointed out that the probable truce in Gaza Strip must be coupled with another on Israel's northern borders.

The French minister briefed his Egyptian counterpart on the outcome of his meetings in Israel and Lebanon. The two ministers also exchanged assessments of the ongoing negotiations targeting to achieve a truce through Egypt's mediation.

In that regard, Minister Shokry noted that Egypt had presented a realistic proposal, stressing that the conflicting parties must show lenience in order to conclude an agreement that would end the bloodshed endured by Palestinians, and accomplish to pacification leading up to a permanent ceasefire.

In turn, Minister Sejourne expressed eagerness for backing Arab efforts aimed at creating the environment necessary to crystalize a settlement to the Palestinian Cause, capitalizing on France's permanent membership in the Security Council.

In that context, the Egyptian minister underscored the salience of promoting the recognition of the Palestinian State among world countries, and its borders that used to exist before the 1967 Six-Day War, as a first step on the pathway of the two-state solution.

The two ministers equally reiterated ultimate rejection to Israeli attempts to liquidate the Palestinian Cause through the external displacement of Gazans by making the enclave unlivable. Similarly, they asserted the unbearable humanitarian perils that would ensue from a military land operation in Palestinian Rafah – having around 1.4 million individuals - which threatens regional stability.

As for humanitarian aid, the Egyptian minister said that Israel should allow the entry of sufficient quantities through all urban crossings with Gaza Strip in order to fulfill the besieged residents' needs.

In that framework, the minister highlighted the importance of supporting the work of UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag in alignment with Security Council's resolution no. 2720 on devising a UN-monitored mechanism to facilitate, coordinate, and observe the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

At the end of the talks, the two sides agreed on maintaining consultations on the development of events in Gaza and relevant regional updates, reinforcing ceasefire efforts, and restoring the political pathway of the two-state solution.