This meeting brings together heads of state, international organizations and NGOs. The aim is to act “in a concrete manner in favor of the Palestinian civilian populations”, specifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While fighting between Hamas and the Israeli army has continued for more than a month in the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave remains as delicate as ever. Water, food and electricity, the Gazan population lacks everything, warns the UN. “We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”alert several UN officials.
In Paris, Emmanuel Macron brings together several heads of state, UN agencies and NGOs at the Élysée Palace on Thursday November 9 to discuss this humanitarian situation. Franceinfo answers three questions about this “humanitarian conference”, initiated by Emmanuel Macron.
1 What is this conference about?
Emmanuel Macron, announced on November 3 the organization of a “humanitarian conference” on the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, since the attack launched by the Palestinian Islamist movement on Israeli soil on October 7.
The aim of this diplomatic summit is to bring together the main countries and organizations involved in the humanitarian response in Gaza, in order to act “in a concrete way” in favor of the Palestinian population, specifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This summit, organized Thursday morning at the Elysée Palace, is being held just a few hours before the opening of the sixth edition of the Paris Peace Forum. This diplomatic meeting devoted to issues related to multilateralism, inaugurated in 2018 during the armistice ceremonies of 1918, begins Friday and ends Saturday and will bring together at least 25 heads of state and government.
2 What is its purpose ?
Three major subjects will be at the heart of the discussions, specifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “actions in favor of respect for international law“, “humanitarian response in the health, water, energy and food sectors” And “mobilization in support of active international agencies and organizations” in the Palestinian territory.
The different delegations present in Paris will also be able to present the “initiatives already implemented or planned for the benefit of the populations” but also “mention their current financial mobilization and announce new commitments“, completes the Quai d’Orsay.
3 Which countries are invited to participate in the discussions?
The goal is not to bring together all the stakeholders, specifies the Quai d’Orsay. The Israeli government will therefore not be present at this “humanitarian conference”but French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday and will speak to him again at the end of this event, the French presidency informed the press.
According to French diplomacy, countries from the Middle East and the G20, as well as several UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, are invited. Among the heads of state invited, we find those of the Maghreb countries, Jordan, Egypt, but not Iran, lists the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.