French foreign minister calls for permanent cease-fire in Mideast

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – France’s foreign minister on Monday called for a permanent cease-fire in the Middle East.

"For four months now, Gazans have been under bombs and living under an almost total siege. They are deprived of minimal aid that would let them cure their wounds, protect themselves from epidemics, and feed themselves. They cannot leave the enclave of Gaza," Stephane Sejourne told a news conference in Jerusalem.

Nothing can justify such a tragedy, added Sejourne, who called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, saying: "France is a friend of Israel."

He also called for an immediate and permanent cease-fire and massive access to humanitarian aid.

Sejourne also "condemned" the acts of violence committed by extremist settlers in the West Bank, also stressing: "Gaza is Palestinian land."

He also warned of the conflict spilling over in the region, adding: "Without a political solution, there will be no just and durable peace in the Middle East."

Sejourne vowed that France would continue its efforts to prevent an escalation in the region, and stressed the need for a two-state solution.

Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, since then killing at least 27,478 Palestinians and injuring 66,835 others.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.