Former Israeli hostage Agam Berger told French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Friday that diplomatic efforts to end the war between Israel and Hamas are futile. “All of these diplomatic solutions… it’s not going to work because it’s us or them,” she said in Hebrew, referencing Hamas, during a meeting in Paris.
Berger, 20, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, from the Nahal Oz military base and held captive for 473 days. She was released on January 30, 2025, as part of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.
“If it were possible not to choose war, we wouldn’t choose it,” Berger said. “But when it’s a war for our country’s existence, we will fight.”
The meeting at the French Foreign Ministry included families of 20 of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza. Barrot expressed France’s unwavering demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and called for Hamas to be disarmed and excluded from Gaza’s future governance.
He emphasized France’s support for Israel’s security, referencing French assistance against Iranian missile threats and Houthi drone attacks. Barrot also reiterated France’s commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The diplomatic exchange comes amid growing tensions between France and Israel. France has criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and called for increased humanitarian aid access, threatening further action if conditions do not improve.
President Emmanuel Macron has also stated France may recognize a Palestinian state within months, a move strongly opposed by Israel, which sees it as rewarding terrorism. A UN conference next month, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, will focus on promoting a two-state solution—an approach Israel continues to reject amid ongoing conflict.
