Force Alone Will Not Ensure Israel’s Security, France States

JERUSALEM – Israel’s security cannot be ensured by military means alone and will necessitate a diplomatic approach, France’s foreign minister stated on Monday while affirming efforts to facilitate a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Jean-Noel Barrot made these remarks during a four-day tour of the Middle East, noting that his visit coincided with the anniversary of the deadly incursion by Hamas militants into Israel that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 people to Gaza.

In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, which has reportedly claimed nearly 42,000 Palestinian lives, as reported by the enclave’s health ministry. The conflict has also escalated tensions in the region, prompting Israeli military action against Hezbollah, Hamas’s ally, along the northern border with Lebanon.

"Force alone cannot guarantee your security. Military success cannot replace a political perspective," Barrot emphasized during a news conference in Jerusalem. He stressed the importance of diplomacy, particularly for the return of hostages and for those displaced by the conflict to return to their homes after a year of war.

Barrot’s visit took place amidst complex Franco-Israeli relations, following a weekend confrontation in which President Emmanuel Macron faced a stern rejection from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Macron had previously advocated for an informal arms embargo on Israel while criticizing countries that provided weapons yet called for a ceasefire in conflict zones.

Barrot acknowledged the inconsistency of advocating for a ceasefire while supplying offensive weapons, reiterating France’s commitment to Israel’s security while also recognizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the military actions in southern Lebanon.

France has worked alongside the United States to pursue a ceasefire in Lebanon; diplomatic sources had suggested that an agreement for a temporary truce had been reached shortly before Israel conducted extensive bombings in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

"We have a responsibility to act now to prevent Lebanon from slipping into a dire situation similar to what Syria experienced in recent years," Barrot said. He confirmed that proposals for a ceasefire, developed in collaboration with Washington, remain under consideration.