Britain, France, and Germany all released statements following the release of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari from Hamas captivity today (Sunday), in which they stressed the importance of establishing a Palestinian state as a solution to the war.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy said that "We welcome the release of three hostages in Gaza, including British national Emily Damari, and thank Qatar, Egypt and the US for their support in bringing these individuals’ and their families’ horrific ordeal to an end."
Lammy then addressed the remaining hostages with British connections: “Our thoughts are also with those still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones, including the families of UK linked hostages Eli Sharabi, Oded Lifschitz and Avinatan Or," who have not yet been released.
He ended by saying that “we are clear the deal must be implemented in full; all hostages be returned and aid be allowed to flow into Gaza now. This ceasefire must lead to a credible pathway towards a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace."
Meanwhile, French President Emanuel Macron said that the Palestinian Authority must be incorporated into the governance of the Gaza Strip with an eye towards creating a Palestinian state, while ensuring that a massacre like October 7 can never happen again, according to France 24.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, said that now was the time to seize the moment and "commit to a Palestinian state that can coexist with the State of Israel."
President Joe Biden also said that the Palestinians are now on a path to a state of their own thanks to the hostage deal and the blows suffered by Hamas and their allies.
None of the countries explained how a Palestinian state would be feasible given the strength of terrorist groups in both Judea and Samaria and especially in the Gaza Strip, even following 15 months of war.
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