October 23, 2025
Mr. President,
First, I would like to thank the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, for his briefing, and I welcome the presence of the representatives of Israel, Palestine, Senegal, and Kazakhstan.
The past month has been marked both by the tragic memory of the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, with their devastating consequences, and by the hope sparked by the signing of a historic peace agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh.
This agreement, made possible through the tireless efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, is a crucial step toward peace. It opens up the prospect of a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and immediate and unhindered humanitarian access. It creates the conditions for peace and for the implementation of the two-state solution.
Both parties must seize this historic opportunity. France calls on them to fully implement the commitments they undertook, with two urgent priorities. Hamas must return without delay the remains of Israeli hostages in Gaza and cease its armed actions, starting with the summary executions that France has strongly denounced. Israel must allow the massive entry of humanitarian aid through the United Nations and international NGOs. France calls on Israel to comply with its obligations, as reiterated by the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion of October 22, 2025.
Mr. President,
To transform the ceasefire into lasting peace, our Council must shoulder its responsibilities. Our efforts must focus on implementing the second phase of the American plan and the New York Declaration, which was massively endorsed by the General Assembly.
Five priorities should guide our action:
1/ First, security and public order. Through the deployment in Gaza of an international stabilization force, mandated by the Security Council, at the invitation of the Palestinian Authority, with appropriate regional and international support. Regular Palestinian security and police forces will be trained and supported, and Hamas disarmed.
2/ Second, humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Humanitarian aid must be allowed access through all crossing points, coordinated by the United Nations, its agencies, the ICRC, and NGOs, and in full compliance with international humanitarian law. France reiterates the irreplaceable role of UNRWA. It supports the mobilization efforts by Egypt for reconstruction.
3/ Third, renewed governance for Gaza. Our guiding principle is the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood, a State of Palestine that includes Gaza and the West Bank. A reformed Palestinian Authority will assume responsibility, and Hamas can play no role in this.
4/ Fourth, the connection between the West Bank and Gaza. France is concerned about the acceleration of settlement activity, settler violence, and threats of partial or total annexation of the West Bank, including the preliminary approval of bills to that effect in the Knesset. France rejects any plan for annexation, which is a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to the two-state solution.
4/ Fifth, intensifying our efforts to stabilize the region as a whole:
In Lebanon, the authorities have taken historic courageous decisions to ensure the state’s monopoly on weapons. They must implement them with the support of the international community. And we expect Israel to withdraw from the positions it occupies and cease its strikes on Lebanese territory.
Syria’s reintegration into its regional environment will contribute to stability in the Middle East. France welcomes the rapprochement with Lebanon, a new chapter based on mutual respect. Here again, we call on Israel to cease its incursions into Syrian territory and withdraw from the occupied area.
Mr. President,
It is up to the Security Council to seize this historic opportunity, as called for in the Charter, and make it the starting point for a different future for the peoples of the region: a future of peace, security, and human progress for all.
Thank you.