French President Emmanuel Macron greeted participants during a ministerial meeting in Paris focused on implementing the Middle East peace plan, attended by Arab and European countries including the UAE.

The announcement of a preliminary agreement to end the war between Israel and Hamas overshadowed the meeting held on Thursday evening, but France views this gathering as an opportunity to secure tangible commitments for lasting peace and a two-state solution.

Macron affirmed France’s readiness to play an active role in a force to stabilize Gaza, noting that the coming hours would be decisive in consolidating peace in the Gaza Strip. He praised efforts by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey in reaching the agreement that ended the war, stating that ending the war was “in the interest of the Israeli people” and calling on all parties to fully implement the agreement’s terms.

He explained that the Paris meeting aims to work alongside the American initiative to ensure the peace process continues, emphasizing France’s ongoing support for any effort to achieve lasting stability in the region.

Macron stressed the importance of adhering to the path of former US President Donald Trump’s plan to guarantee the success of the peace process, highlighting the need to enhance international contributions in governance, security, and reconstruction of Gaza.

He considered the unity of Gaza and the West Bank under Palestinian Authority rule essential and called for a clear timetable to achieve it. Macron confirmed that “there is no future for Hamas and its weapons in Gaza,” urging disarmament as a condition for lasting peace.

He also emphasized the importance of deploying an international force to strengthen stability in Gaza within a clear UN framework for peacekeeping, with France ready to participate in this force.

Macron called for facilitating the involvement of international institutions in Gaza’s reconstruction and criticized Israeli settlement expansion, describing it as a “serious threat to the State of Palestine and contrary to international law and Trump’s peace plan,” adding that accelerating settlements undermines regional stability.

EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, stated the European Union is ready to discuss ways to contribute to the Gaza peace plan, calling the meeting “our best chance.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Italy’s readiness to participate in reinforcing the ceasefire, delivering new humanitarian aid, and contributing to Gaza’s reconstruction, praising the “very good news” from the Middle East.

On security, Europeans support forming a UN-backed international mission to stabilize Gaza, with internal security responsibilities gradually transferred to the Palestinian Authority after extensive reforms. The mission aims to replace the Israeli army and disarm Hamas, in line with the US peace plan.