France calls for ‘lasting ceasefire’ between Israel, Hamas

The deal between Israel and Hamas to free 50 hostages held by the Palestinian militant group should be “broadened” and the “humanitarian pause” it brings used to work towards a “lasting ceasefire,” the French presidency said on Wednesday.

Israel and Hamas announced a deal on Wednesday allowing at least 50 hostages and scores of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, while offering besieged Gaza residents a four-day truce after weeks of all-out war.

French President Emmanuel Macron told visiting foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim countries that Israel’s security must be “taken into account by everyone,” his office added.

“There will be no lasting ceasefire without very solid guarantees on Israel’s security,” Macron told top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey as well as the secretary general of the Arab League.

Macron’s office said the Egyptian minister mentioned his intention to “facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza” and the possibility of the UN Security Council adopting a resolution on the issue.