Agam Berger, who was held hostage by Hamas for over a year, met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, expressing deep skepticism about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts in dealing with Hamas, according to Israeli news outlets.
“If it were possible not to choose war, we wouldn’t choose it. But the moment there is a war for the survival of our land, that’s what we will do,” she said.
Berger emphasized that the ideological and operational goals of Hamas leave no room for peaceful coexistence. “They [Hamas] don’t want ‘togetherness.’ All the diplomatic solutions – I don’t know what to call it – it won’t work because it’s either us or them.”
In response, Barrot underscored France’s position on the issue, calling for both the immediate release of Israeli captives and a political future in Gaza that excludes Hamas. “All the hostages must be released. Now. Hamas must disarm and not be included in the political future of Gaza,” he said.
Berger had been abducted during the October 7 attack on the Nahal Oz military base and spent 482 days in captivity in the Gaza Strip before her release.

{Matzav.com Israel}