DUBAI: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot voiced support on Tuesday for a joint appeal made with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations for the release of hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and its exclusion from any future role in governing a Palestinian state.

Warning that any expansion of Israeli military operations into Gaza City and the Al-Mawasi area would be “a recipe for disaster,” the minister said such a move would cause more civilian casualties, endanger hostages, and risk turning the conflict into a war without end. 

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out his vision of victory in Gaza following 22 months of war - with the military ordered to attack the last remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps further south.

With a pre-war population of some 760,000, according to official figures, Gaza City was the biggest of any municipal area in the Palestinian territories.

The Barrot called for a permanent ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid, while proposing a temporary international stabilization mission under a UN mandate to lay the groundwork for lasting peace.

The Security Council should mandate this mission, the minister said, adding that work with international partners had already begun. 

“It’s the only credible way of ending permanent war and building peace and stability in the region. Let’s not waste any time,” he said.