• France asserts there is "no alternative" to a two-state solution.
• UN conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia emphasizes urgency for Palestinian statehood recognition.
• Over 15 nations join France in calling for global recognition of Palestine.
• International focus on disarming Hamas and reforming the Palestinian Authority.
• Heightened humanitarian crisis in Gaza influences diplomatic discussions.

At a high-level United Nations conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that there is "no alternative" to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. Barrot emphasized this position by reiterating that only a political solution will address the legitimate aspirations of both peoples to live in peace and security, as he opened the meeting on July 28. His remarks coincide with France's upcoming pledge to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN Assembly in September, amidst criticisms from Israel and the United States, according to Le Monde and The Jakarta Post.

During the conference, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa reiterated calls for the international community to recognize the state of Palestine without delay, demanding that Hamas disarm as part of any resolution. He insisted that all states have a responsibility to act now to facilitate the Palestinian statehood process, alongside reforming the Palestinian Authority to ensure political stability, as reported by Africanews and The Jakarta Post.

In support of these calls, France and 14 other countries issued a joint statement expressing their desire for worldwide recognition of Palestinian statehood. Barrot noted that the recognition is essential amid a backdrop of severe humanitarian crises, stating that it is vital to lift financial blockades imposed on the Palestinian Authority and halt Israeli settlement expansions in the West Bank. This collective appeal from the French foreign ministry underscores a growing consensus on the urgency for action, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza—which has now lasted over 21 months—has contributed to fears that a feasible Palestinian state could soon become geographically impossible. Barrot warned that the situation necessitates a political horizon, stressing that achieving a lasting ceasefire is illusory without a comprehensive outline for Gaza's future governance post-conflict. With the United States and Israel absent from the conference, global pressure mounts for them to engage in dialogues conducive to peace, as indicated by Africanews and The Jakarta Post.