JERUSALEM: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday in Jerusalem he saw prospects for ending Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon after Donald Trump was elected US president.
“I believe a window has opened for putting an end to the tragedy in which Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region have been immersed since October 7” last year, Barrot told reporters in Jerusalem.
Speaking alongside outgoing Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Barrot cited Trump’s “wish to see the end of the Middle East’s endless wars” as well as Israel’s recent “tactical successes.”
Barrot said he hoped a “diplomatic solution” would emerge “in the coming weeks.”
“Force alone will not be enough to guarantee Israel’s security,” he said, adding that “military success could not be a substitute for a political perspective.”
“It is time to move toward a deal that would allow for the liberation of all hostages, a ceasefire and the mass entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to prepare for the day after.”
Barrot said “Israel has the right to defend itself” but pointed to “colonization,” “humanitarian aid restrictions” and “the continuation of air strikes in north Gaza” as risk factors for Israel’s security.
Barrot is expected to speak with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas and his prime minister, Muhammad Mustafa
France sees ‘window’ to end Gaza, Lebanon wars after Trump win
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France sees ‘window’ to end Gaza, Lebanon wars after Trump win
- Barrot said he hoped a “diplomatic solution” would emerge “in the coming weeks”
Israel renews demolition order for refugee camp football pitch near Bethlehem
- The Aida field has been scheduled for demolition since November
LONDON: Israeli authorities on Monday renewed a demolition order for a seven-a-side football pitch in Aida Refugee Camp, north of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Munther Amira, head of the Aida Youth Center, said Israeli forces had informed the charity of the order to demolish the football field, claiming it was built without a permit.
He added that they posted the demolition order at the pitch gate in the Khallat Hamama area, on the outskirts of the Aida camp near the separation wall, according to official news agency Wafa.
The order gives the site owners a week to demolish it; otherwise, the Israeli authorities, which maintain a military occupation in the area, will carry out the work and the owners would be subject to fines and potential imprisonment.
The Aida football field has been scheduled for demolition since November last year.
