France: We support Trump's plan and demand Hamas to stop fighting

In controversial statements, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced yesterday, Thursday, that Hamas has "lost" the battle in Gaza and that it must accept what he described as "surrender," amid discussions by the movement on a U.S. peace plan to end the ongoing war in the sector.

In an interview with the French news agency, Barrot said:

"Hamas bears a grave responsibility for the catastrophe that has befallen the Palestinians. It has lost, and it must accept surrender."

The French minister's statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday a new peace plan to end the conflict in Gaza, a plan that was publicly welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Barrot confirmed that France fully supports this plan and intends to work on its implementation.

The French minister explained:

"We welcome this plan and wish to work on its implementation to end the war, famine, and suffering in Gaza."

The American plan includes several key provisions, the most notable of which are:

_ Ceasefire within 72 hours

_ Mutual release of prisoners

_ Complete disarmament of Hamas

_ Gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip

According to Trump's statements, Hamas has a "three to four days" deadline to respond to the plan, amid increasing international pressure to accept it.

Barrot pointed out that Hamas has become isolated on the international stage, citing the "overwhelming vote" in the United Nations General Assembly on September 12, where a text supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state excluding Hamas was adopted.

For its part, Egypt is working to convince Hamas to accept the American plan, but at the same time indicated that there are gaps in some provisions of the plan, without revealing details of those gaps.

In response to Tel Aviv's discontent with France's recognition of the Palestinian state, Barrot emphasized that his country still considers itself a "steadfast and reliable ally" of Israel, especially in light of what he described as the "Iranian nuclear threat."

Regarding the Iranian nuclear file, the French Foreign Minister called for resuming dialogue with Tehran, despite the recent UN and European sanctions imposed on Iran.

He confirmed that France will do its utmost to find a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis.