From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 5, 2024
FM Katz meets visiting French counterpart, says Israel looking for alternatives to UNRWA
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Foreign Minister Israel Katz meets in Jerusalem with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, and tells his counterpart that Israel is working to find alternatives to UNRWA in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, Katz also asks Séjourné to pressure Qatar for evidence that medications reached hostages in Gaza.
In mid-January, France and Qatar were part of a deal to purchase and send medication to Israeli hostages held by Hamas, but Israel has not been able to verify that they reached the captives.
Katz thanks Séjourné for France’s support for Israel and its right to defend itself, and for suspending its UNRWA funding.
Yesterday, Séjourné was in Egypt and Jordan, and will visit Ramallah and Beirut on the four-day tour.
He will also meet in Israel today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
The Times of Israel Community.