PARIS (AP) 鈥 France鈥檚 new foreign minister on Monday used his first visit to Israel to urge the government to allow an 鈥 immediate cease-fire 鈥 and a 鈥渕assive influx鈥 of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Foreign Minister St茅phane S茅journ茅, who became France's top diplomat , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem during his trip.
Speaking later at a news conference, S茅journ茅 said it was France鈥檚 role as a 鈥渇riend鈥 to tell Israeli leaders some truths they 鈥渕ay have difficulties hearing.鈥
鈥淔or four months now, the people of Gaza have been living under bombs and an almost full siege. They are being deprived of the minimum aid they need to treat their wounds, protect against epidemics and feed themselves,鈥 he said.
S茅journ茅 stressed that France 鈥渟trongly supported Israel鈥檚 right to defend itself鈥 after the Hamas-orchestrated attack in southern Israel that . At the same time, he called the death and destruction in the Palestinian territory a tragedy.
鈥淭he tragedy in Gaza must end,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e call for international humanitarian law to be respected by all and for an immediate and lasting cease-fire and a massive influx of humanitarian aid.鈥
U.S. Secretary of State on Monday for a Mideast trip that also will take him to Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank this week. Blinken hopes to make progress on a potential cease-fire deal.
S茅journ茅 also called for the 鈥渋mmediate and unconditional release鈥 of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Three French nationals are believed to be among them, he said.
A French top official, speaking about sensitive information on the condition of anonymity, said Monday that France was working with Qatar and other partners in the region to get proof that for dozens of hostages have been delivered.
France and Qatar last month mediated the first agreement between Israel and the militant group since a weeklong cease-fire in November. The deal authorized supplying medicines for both hostages and for use by Palestinian civilians.
As he greeted the visiting foreign minister, Netanyahu praised France's 鈥渟talwart and consistent support from Day 1" and said they planned to discuss issues related , from where the militant group Hezbollah has fired at targets in northern Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.
Lebanon is a former French protectorate. S茅journ茅 said France is committed to preventing any escalation of regional hostilities.
The minister's first trip to the Middle East since his appointment started with stops in Egypt on Saturday and Jordan on Sunday.
S茅journ茅 was scheduled to meet later Monday with Palestinian President in the West Bank city of Ramallah and to travel to Lebanon on Tuesday.
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