France working with Qatar to get medicines to hostages in Gaza

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

People attend a 24-hour rally for the hostages taken on October 7, marking 100 days since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, at 'Hostages Square' in Tel Aviv, on January 14, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
People attend a 24-hour rally for the hostages taken on October 7, marking 100 days since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, at 'Hostages Square' in Tel Aviv, on January 14, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

France and Qatar are working together to get medicine to Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, the French Embassy in Israel tells The Times of Israel.

The two countries have been working together since late October, after being approached by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, says France.

French President Emmanuel Macron ordered his Foreign Affairs Ministry to draw up a list of medicine for 45 hostages, make the purchase, and send it to Qatar.

The medicine was sent to Qatar on Saturday, and has yet to reach Gaza.

Israel is overseeing the security aspects of the operation, a French official tells The Times of Israel.

“The operation is at its height,” says France.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is involved as well.

If the project succeeds, a joint French-Qatari statement is expected.

The Prime Minister’s Office leaked the operation on Friday, but did not mention France’s involvement.

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