ISTANBUL 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday that France and its partners are working with the US and Arab states to implement the newly agreed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

He said they are planning to establish an international security force to help ensure lasting peace in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a meeting in Paris hours after the ceasefire announcement, Barrot said the agreement marked “a decisive breakthrough” made possible through “the combined efforts of the international community, led by US President Donald Trump, and the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye.”

Barrot described the ceasefire as “a tremendous relief” but cautioned that it was only “the first step on a long road” toward a political solution that would “guarantee Israel’s security while recognizing the Palestinians’ legitimate right to a state.”

He said France had been working “for more than a year with our Saudi partners and others to design this initiative,” which culminated in the Sept. 22 session of the UN General Assembly.

“A consensus is forming for the day after,” he added.

He said France brought together key European and Arab partners, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan and Canada to coordinate efforts to implement the American plan for Gaza.

He noted that discussions in Paris produced “unanimous support” for Trump’s plan, “recognition of the mediators’ role” and an agreement to move forward with the plan’s next phases, starting with humanitarian aid and security arrangements.

Barrot said a consensus was forming that Gaza’s daily security should be ensured by Palestinian police forces, trained by Egypt, Jordan or Canada, supported by “an international stabilization and security force” that several countries have already offered to join.

“For this to happen,” he added, “a mandate must be given to this force, and that is the work currently underway at the United Nations Security Council to define its parameters.”

Barrot praised the “vitality of French diplomacy,” saying France had again shown its ability “to bring together the efforts of the international community in the service of peace,” despite domestic political turbulence.

“The cease-fire is not yet peace,” he said. “But it is the beginning of a long path toward one.”