The Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 18 French people were still missing, “some of whom may be held hostage” and announced that there were now 11 French people dead after Hamas attacks on Israeli territory .
Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, assures on Wednesday October 11 on franceinfo that there is no voice for discussions or negotiations “between France and the terrorists”five days after the Hamas attack on Israel.
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Regarding possible pressure that France could exert on Hamas, Catherine Colonna guarantees that this “this is not the case, it is the Israeli authorities who are at work within the framework of their right to exercise the defense of Israel”.
11 French victims “of these attacks”
Five days after the start of the Hamas offensive in Israel, France deplores the death of 11 of its nationals. The Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that “the results had unfortunately evolved gradually as the identifications made by the Israeli authorities”. There are now 11 French victims “of these attacks”. Catherine Colonna confirmed that 18 French people were still missing, including “some of them may be being held hostage”.
“We do not have sufficiently precise news” to know how many are or would be in the hands of Hamas, indicated the head of diplomacy. But, “we are completely confident in the ability of the Israeli authorities to help us [pour] that people of French nationality who may have disappeared can be found and released safe and sound” further clarified the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She also recalled that the Quai d’Orsay had been mobilized since the first hours of the offensive both in Paris and in Israel with the French embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem. As for possible injuries, “there are probably some, but we do not have a count”recognized Catherine Colonna.
Other repatriation flights “probably Friday and Saturday”
France is among the countries most bereaved by the Hamas offensive. Around 80 foreign nationals were killed including at least 20 Thais, 22 Americans, ten Nepalese, seven Argentinians, four Russian-Israelis, two Ukrainians, two British, two Peruvians, two Filipinos, two Brazilians, one Cambodian, one Canadian, one Spanish and an Australian.
Catherine Colonna also confirmed that a special flight between Tel Aviv and Paris would take off on Thursday to repatriate French people. This flight “will probably be followed on Friday and Saturday by other special flights”. “The most vulnerable must come first”she clarified.