France's Peace Initiative to End Gaza War: 'Permanent' Ceasefire, Release of Hostages, and Recognition of Two-State Solution

Stéphane Séjourné, a prominent French diplomat, stated on Saturday that his government intends to present a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for a 'permanent' ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and recognition of a two-state solution. According to the Times of Israel, he made this announcement at a joint press conference in Cairo, stating that this initiative includes 'all criteria of the two-state solution' in the Israel-Palestine conflict; a peace plan supported by the international community but opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Séjourné made these remarks alongside the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan, who also called for an 'immediate and permanent ceasefire' in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the massacre on October 7. Furthermore, Sameh Shoukry, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, called for the reopening of Israeli land crossings with Gaza for humanitarian aid, stating that Gaza 'can no longer endure destruction and suffering.' In response to France's peace proposal, Israel's representative at the UN told Israel's Channel 12 that the French proposal 'plays into Hamas's hands and rewards terrorism.' He stated that this proposal undermines all principles of negotiations and advances the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, which Israel will strongly oppose. Recently, the UN Security Council passed a resolution regarding Gaza with 14 votes in favor and the United States abstaining, calling for an 'immediate ceasefire' until the end of Ramadan and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. Following Hamas's terrorist attack on October 15, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of over 250 others, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamist group supported by the Islamic Republic. So far, 112 hostages abducted by Palestinian militants have returned to Israel, and the Israeli government believes that more than 100 other hostages are still alive. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.