• France expresses deep concern for Gaza and urges immediate and lasting peace.
• Israel rejects a ceasefire, viewing it as a gift to Hamas.
• Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is recovering the body of 28-year-old French-Israeli hostage Elya Toledano.

France Urges Immediate and Lasting Peace in Israel-Hamas Conflict, Expresses Deep Concern for Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Rejects Ceasefire, Sees It as a Gift to Hamas. UK and Germany Call for Sustainable Ceasefire, Stop Short of Immediate Demand.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna Emphasizes Truce Aimed at Releasing Hostages and Providing Aid to Gaza During Tel Aviv Meeting with Israeli Counterpart Eli Cohen.

Despite Israeli Stand Against Ceasefire, Cohen Acknowledges France’s Potential Role in Easing Regional Tensions.

He added that “while Israel has no intention to start another front” on its northern border with Lebanon, it would do whatever it takes to protect Israeli citizens.”

Israel has been involved in frequent exchanges of fire with armed groups in southern Lebanon, particularly with the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Recently, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock advocated for a “sustainable ceasefire” in the ongoing conflict.

In an article jointly published in the Sunday Times, Lord Cameron expressed support for a ceasefire, but emphasized the importance of it being viable in the long term. While this indicates a change in the UK government’s stance, it falls short of explicitly calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Notably, during a recent United Nations resolution vote on this matter, both the UK and Germany chose to abstain. The resolution, which received support from 153 countries, aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire in the region.

“We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward,” Lord Cameron wrote seeking to explain the UK’s decision.

“Would Hamas stop firing rockets? Would it release the hostages… an unsustainable ceasefire, quickly collapsing into further violence, would only make it harder to build the confidence needed for peace.”

Instead, the UK and Germany are advocating for additional humanitarian pauses to facilitate the delivery of more aid and the release of hostages in the ongoing conflict.

The UK Foreign Secretary supports a ‘sustainable’ ceasefire in Gaza. Catherine Colonna, during her visit to Israel, is also scheduled to meet with the families of French hostages still held by Hamas.

Addressing allegations of sexual assault during the October 7 attacks, Ms. Colonna emphasized that France believes the accounts of the victims and witnesses.

Recent developments include the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recovering the body of 28-year-old French-Israeli hostage Elya Toledano.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed ongoing efforts by the Israeli government to complete the recovery of all hostages held in Gaza, underscoring the necessity of military pressure on Hamas to ensure their release.

Mr Netanyahu has indicated that talks are happening, and there are reports which suggest both Egypt and Qatar are involved in the discussions.

But Hamas has said there will be no negotiations to release hostages “unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all”.

On Friday, the IDF accidentally killed three Israeli hostages during its operations in Gaza.

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