US Secretary of State to skip Paris meeting on Gaza: Report
Marco Rubio will no longer attend a meeting in Paris on Thursday where European, Arab and other states are expected to discuss plans for Gaza’s post-war transition, the Reuters news agency has reported, quoting diplomatic sources.
The talks coincide with separate, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas taking place in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh resort over US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza.
Five diplomatic sources told Reuters the US secretary of state had initially been expected to attend, but his presence was cancelled due to the ongoing government shutdown in the US.
A US official is still expected to represent Washington, though it is unclear who, the sources added. One European diplomat told Reuters that US participation was vital because nothing could move forward without it.
Israeli foreign minister slams Paris meeting to end war as ‘unnecessary and harmful’
Gideon Saar has sharply criticised a meeting due to be held in Paris on Thursday, where European, Arab and other diplomats are expected to discuss Gaza’s post-war transition and efforts towards a permanent ceasefire.
Saar described the French-led initiative as “unnecessary and harmful”, saying it had been “concocted behind Israel’s back at the sensitive timing of the negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh”.
“We view this as yet another attempt by President [Emmanuel] Macron to divert attention from his domestic problems at Israel’s expense,” Saar posted on X.
The Israeli minister said there would be “no arrangements in Gaza formulated without Israel’s consent”, accusing France of “double standards” for supporting the principle that “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without Ukraine” while, he said, attempting to make decisions about Gaza without Israel.
“Nothing about Israel without Israel,” Saar added. “Israel will not agree to the internationalisation of the conflict.”
All more evidence a path to the 2-state solution is not in the cards as far as Israel and US can continue to prevent it.
