French Foreign Minister Warns Israel Against Gaza Offensive, Citing Humanitarian Concerns

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, warning that such an operation could have severe humanitarian consequences. According to a French diplomatic source, Sejourne conveyed this message to Netanyahu during a meeting in Jerusalem, stating, "It is a bad idea to do it. There are too many uncertainties over the humanitarian issues."

The warning comes as Israel and Hamas engage in delicate ceasefire negotiations, mediated by international parties, to reach an agreement that would halt the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by the militant group. The talks have encountered difficulties, with both sides blaming each other for the collapse of previous agreements.

Netanyahu has pledged to proceed with a ground invasion of Rafah, where over 1 million displaced civilians are sheltering, regardless of whether a truce deal is reached with Hamas. The Israeli leader has stated that ending the war before achieving all its objectives is "out of the question," despite concerns raised by the United Nations, aid organizations, and some of Israel's allies, including the United States, about the safety of civilians in such an operation.

Why this matters: The potential Israeli offensive in Rafah threatens to further escalate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the seven-month conflict has already claimed the lives of more than 34,500 Palestinians and displaced around 80% of the population. The international community's efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages are vital in preventing further loss of life and alleviating the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

The current ceasefire proposal under discussion would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting, with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel also being released. However, a sticking point remains over Hamas's demand for assurances that the release of all hostages will bring a complete end to Israel's assault on Gaza and a withdrawal of its troops, while Israel has offered only an extended pause in fighting.

As pressure mounts on both sides to reach an agreement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel to advance the truce talks. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also called for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow more aid into Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages. The international community remains hopeful that a deal can be reached to end the bloodshed and provide much-needed relief to the beleaguered population of Gaza.

Key Takeaways

• French FM warns Netanyahu against Rafah offensive due to humanitarian risks.
• Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks stall, with both sides blaming the other.
• Netanyahu vows to proceed with Rafah invasion despite international concerns.
• Proposed ceasefire deal involves hostage release and prisoner exchange.
• US, UK push for humanitarian pause to aid Gaza and facilitate hostage release.