The Foreign Ministers of France and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their nations' commitment to the security of Israel and the stability of the broader Middle East region, expressing alarm at the heightened risk of a broader conflict in the region.

"The risk of wider conflict in the Middle East has never been higher and we must push for de-escalation now," the ministers said in a joint statement issued in the wake of their recent visits to Lebanon and Israel. 

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the UK and France emphasized their "specific responsibility to support ending the current escalation and securing a lasting peace to the benefit of Israelis, Palestinians, and the whole region." 

In a pointed message, the ministers urged Iran and its affiliated groups to cease their military threats against Israel, stressing that "the spiral of escalating reprisals must end." They also highlighted the importance of fully implementing UN Security Resolution 1701, which focuses on maintaining peace in Lebanon.

The joint statement expressed full support for ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. "There is no further time to lose to seize the opportunity and secure the release of the hostages," the ministers stated, urging all parties involved to fulfill their responsibilities in this critical moment.

Additionally, the UK and France called for the immediate and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, emphasizing that "civilians must be protected" in the ongoing crisis.

Looking to the future, the ministers reiterated their belief that only a two-state solution, grounded in international law, can bring about a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. They strongly condemned the recent settler violence in the West Bank, warning that such actions "threaten both Israeli and Palestinian security and could put at risk ongoing diplomatic efforts."

The ministers also expressed their commitment to supporting regional cooperation and normalization efforts, calling on all regional actors to make "concrete gestures if they genuinely want to avoid war." They affirmed their readiness to engage with these actors to promote peace and stability.