“We have a difference of point of view with Israel,” assures Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna

“We have a difference of point of view with Israel in the way the country exercises its right to defend itself”assured Tuesday, December 19, to franceinfo the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, almost two and a half months after the start of Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7. The minister also announces “triple within ten days” the volume of French aid to Gaza.

Franceinfo: We are approaching the threshold of 20,000 deaths in Gaza. A Palestinian agent from your ministry was killed this weekend. Three hostages were killed, victims of Israeli army fire. There remain more than 120 hostages in Gaza, including, undoubtedly, three French people. Is it time to stop Israeli military operations?

Catherine Colonna: The military situation in Gaza is terrible, no one can deny it. Even if we have a way of counting the number of deaths which is sometimes discussed, it is certain that Palestinian civilians, who had nothing to do with the crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, suffer, lack everything, that we must help them and help them more. This is one of the reasons why we are asking for a particular effort, so that a real, lasting, sustainable pause can take place without delay, to allow civilians to be better rescued, to provide them with more humanitarian aid. , to also allow the release of the hostages which remains, for us, the first priority. Unfortunately, this has not been the case so far. A truce is necessary. I remind you that three French people disappeared following the terrorist attacks of October 7.

You saw it the day before yesterday on site, the Israeli government does not want to stop its military operations and wants to destroy Hamas. Isn’t this a dialogue of the deaf?

We understand Israel’s need to ensure that Hamas cannot repeat the horrible attacks committed on October 7 with particular barbarity. But in the way the country exercises its right to defend itself, to protect its population and to fight against terrorism, we have a difference of point of view with Israel. Like most of our European and American partners, we have a very clear message that we are bringing to the Jewish State: that of conducting its operations differently.

“When carried out, systematic bombing excessively endangers the lives of civilians. More targeted operations and greater precautions are needed. Israel must respect international humanitarian law like every country.”

Catherine Colonna

on franceinfo

And if it is difficult to carry out military operations in an area like Gaza, that is another reason to take precautions. We call on Israel to take concrete measures to prevent too much loss of civilian life.

Beyond the bombings, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, believes that Gaza residents could soon die of hunger. How to alleviate the humanitarian crisis?

We must provide more aid to civilian populations and as quickly as possible. We must ask Israel to open more entry points for this aid and also allow this aid to be distributed throughout the Gaza Strip and particularly in the north. We are in contact with all partners for this purpose. As for France, which has already sent 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid, we are going to triple the volume of our aid within ten days. There are 700 tons of cargo and dietary supplements on the way with the World Food Program. The first boat will leave Le Havre on Wednesday and the second a week later.

The United States still opposes a ceasefire at the UN but still asks Israel for more targeted operations against Hamas. Do you have the feeling that international pressure is increasing?

The United States says it and we say it too: in the conduct of these operations, we must ensure that more precautions are taken. Yes, several of us say that the conduct of military operations seems problematic to us and that a greater distinction must be made between targeted operations which may be legitimate and necessary to defeat Hamas, and the exposure of the population civil society to too much suffering, which is not justifiable.

The Israeli government is very extremist today. It seems to encourage colonization. You saw it in the West Bank. October 7 gives extremist settlers a pretext to commit acts of violence. What can France do against these actions?

You have to be clear. Just as terrorism is never justifiable, it must be said that colonization is illegal. It is in international law and leads to abuses on the spot which are unacceptable. We have witnessed it.

“Extremism must be condemned on all sides.”

Catherine Colonna

at franceinfo

We call on Israel to take action against settlers who commit violence against Palestinian farmers. Israeli law must be used, which prohibits such violence.

Another front of this conflict: the Israeli-Lebanese border, with almost daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel. You were in Lebanon this Monday. France has been repeating it since October 7: we must avoid a conflagration. Israel believes you can play a role in easing tensions, but Hezbollah rejects outside intervention. What can you do ?

Indeed, I visited the region for the fourth time since October 7, both in Israel and Lebanon. The objective is to contribute to de-escalation and avoid a conflagration in the region. The risks of a conflagration remain high. We send the message to everyone that in these circumstances, it is their responsibility to do everything to avoid a spiral that would be uncontrollable. The border between Lebanon and Israel is too volatile. We are seeing an increase in attacks and provocations from Hezbollah and responses from Israel. This seems to us to be a risk that neither party should take. We call on them to moderation and reason. Calm must return to the field.

The Red Sea is also the scene of tensions. Yemen’s Houthis threaten commercial ships. Many attacks have taken place in recent days, including yesterday. Several major shipping companies have decided to suspend navigation in the Red Sea? How to combat the threat of the Houthis in this area?

It is not possible to allow freedom of movement and navigation in international waters to be affected in this way. The Houthis cannot imagine continuing the attacks they carry out against ships, or even attacks by drones or missiles, without there being a reaction from the international community. We are considering the measures to be taken to guarantee freedom of movement. Options are on the table but it is clear that this situation cannot last.