Israel – Release of a first group of hostages (24 November 2023)

France welcomes the release of a first group of 24 hostages and the fact that a truce has come into force. It calls for the release of all the hostages.

France is making active efforts to get French hostages released as part of the agreement currently being implemented. The release of all our compatriots is an absolute priority for France, and we are working tirelessly to secure it.

We express our wholehearted solidarity with the hostages’ families at this difficult time. Under the authority of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, our teams – particularly those at the Crisis and Support Centre and our Consulate General in Tel Aviv – are in constant touch with them and are informing them in real time.

France commends the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, the United States and the ICRC, which made it possible to secure the agreement. We are in close contact with them and with the Israeli authorities.

As the Minister has repeated many times, the truce obtained today must be durable, sustained and capable of leading to a ceasefire.