Mr President,
Allow me first of all to thank Algeria for organizing this meeting, as well as the Secretary-General for his briefing.
France welcomes the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza, made possible thanks to the efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt. It calls on the parties to implement it in its entirety.
This agreement should allow the release of all the hostages, including our two compatriots, Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi, as well as the massive delivery of aid for the benefit of the populations.
Faced with an emergency, all access must be opened without delay. The work of international organizations and humanitarian actors must be facilitated by Israel, in accordance with international law and the orders of the International Court of Justice. The United Nations must be able to deliver aid without hindrance. France reaffirms its full support for the irreplaceable action of UNRWA in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The future of the Gaza Strip must be part of that of a future Palestinian state. We must prevent Hamas from regaining a foothold in the enclave, and therefore prepare for the return of the Palestinian Authority, which is intended to administer this territory. We must also guarantee the security of Israel. No massacre like the one committed on October 7, 2023 must ever happen again.
France calls for this ceasefire to be an opportunity to initiate an irreversible process for the implementation of the two-state solution, with security guarantees for both Israelis and Palestinians, the only prospect for ensure a just and lasting peace.
-France is committed to this, within the Security Council and in all forums. In June 2025, she will co-chair with Saudi Arabia an international conference for the implementation of the two-state solution. It calls on Israelis and Palestinians to take the only path that will guarantee them a future of peace and security.
The implementation of the ceasefire agreement should allow the opening of a new chapter in the Middle East.
In Lebanon, the election of President Joseph Aoun and the appointment of Mr. Nawaf Salam to the post of President of the Council of Ministers are a reason for hope. France hopes that a government capable of bringing together Lebanon in all its diversity will be formed as soon as possible. It is urgent to fully implement Resolution 1701 to achieve a long-term solution along the Blue Line, which ensures respect for the security of Israel and Lebanon.
In Yemen, the peace process must resume, under the aegis of the United Nations Special Envoy. France urges the Houthis to stop their destabilizing actions.
Thank you.
