French Diplomat Killed in Israeli Airstrike, Paris Demands Answers
Watan-A French diplomat was killed in Gaza, succumbing to injuries sustained during one of the airstrikes carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in the region.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it seeks clarification regarding the circumstances of the killing of several civilians, including one of its diplomats, in Gaza.
In a statement posted on its official page on “Le Figaro” website, the ministry mentioned that the diplomat, who was injured during an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza, passed away due to his injuries.
It noted that the French diplomat, along with his family members and two of his colleagues, sought refuge in a house belonging to the French consulate in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, near the Egyptian border.
#Israël #Territoirespalestiniens | C’est avec beaucoup d’émotion que le ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères a appris le décès de l’un de ses agents, mort des suites de ses blessures lors d’un bombardement israélien à Rafah, dans le sud de la bande de Gaza.
➡️… pic.twitter.com/FXfmBCttco
— France Diplomatie🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo) December 16, 2023
The statement continued: “The Israeli army bombed the house they sought refuge in last Wednesday, resulting in his injury and the death of 10 others, before his death was announced due to those injuries.”
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the diplomat who met his demise had been in his position since 2002. The ministry expressed condemnation for the bombing of a residential building housing many civilians and called for clarification from Israel as soon as possible.
Paris calls for a ceasefire
France, too, said Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, emphasized that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza must be achieved as quickly as possible.
This statement was made at a joint press conference with her Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, during her visit to Israel on Sunday.
À mon homologue @elicohen, j’ai redit l’attachement de la 🇫🇷 à la sécurité d’#Israël face au terrorisme, l’urgence d’une trêve humanitaire à #Gaza pour la libération des otages et l’accès humanitaire & l’importance de tout faire pour éviter une escalade avec le #Liban. pic.twitter.com/J0EMx3NJjv
— Catherine Colonna (@MinColonna) December 17, 2023
Colonna stated that an immediate ceasefire must be achieved as quickly as possible to facilitate the release of prisoners and allow the entry and distribution of aid.
She continued, “After that, we should be able to move towards a humanitarian ceasefire and initiate political dialogue immediately. We must think about post-war solutions and political resolutions for this conflict.”
In contrast, the Israeli Foreign Minister stated that Tel Aviv would not accept a ceasefire in Gaza because, according to him, it would serve the Hamas movement.
He added that it is necessary to force Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
