France’s foreign minister made an unexpected visit to Cairo on Wednesday as part of his Middle East tour, signaling a heightened focus on efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages in Gaza.
The diplomatic push for a truce has gained momentum recently, with Egypt taking the lead in reviving talks between Israel and Hamas, the ruling group in Gaza.
According to sources, the minister’s surprise stop in Cairo aligns with Egypt’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza. France has a vested interest in this effort, as three dual-national hostages remain held by Hamas since the group’s attack on Israel in October.
During his visit to Egypt, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne is expected to discuss the potential release of the hostages and assess the progress toward a truce. French diplomats express cautious optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.
France, in collaboration with Egypt, has also been involved in providing humanitarian aid and medical assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. In addition to focusing on the Gaza truce negotiations, Paris aims to address tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, proposing a solution to defuse the situation.
Minister Sejourne’s visit to Egypt follows previous stops in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview, Sejourne noted some progress toward a ceasefire but emphasized that it would be just the first step in achieving a long-term resolution. He cautioned against any actions that could escalate the conflict further.
