By Smartencyclopedia with agencies
France’s Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, has confirmed in an interview with the local daily Le Progres that France primarily provides intelligence support to Israel. This intelligence sharing is described as a routine part of the partnership between the two nations. Lecornu emphasized France’s extensive experience in counterterrorism and its intelligence services’ highly effective means and sensors.
The declaration comes in the context of Israel’s sustained military campaign against the Gaza Strip, which was launched in response to a military offensive initiated by the Palestinian group Hamas. Hamas conducted Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which included a multifaceted surprise attack involving rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. The operation was a response to escalating violence against Palestinians and the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers.
In the subsequent Israeli military response known as Operation Swords of Iron, Israeli forces targeted Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Deteriorating Situation in Mali
Minister Lecornu also highlighted the deteriorating situation in Mali, stating that the country is at risk of being partitioned in the coming months. Terrorist attacks in Mali have been on the rise, with both the Malian military and civilians suffering significant casualties. Lecornu explained that terrorist groups are exploiting the Malian junta’s weakness and the defeat of the Russian paramilitary group, Wagner. He further expressed concern about the situation in the Sahel region.
France had previously withdrawn its troops from Mali last year, marking the end of Operation Barkhane, which was launched in 2014 to combat terrorism in the G5 Sahel countries, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania.
France’s role in providing intelligence support to Israel in the midst of the Gaza conflict underscores the complex dynamics and relationships in international geopolitics, as nations navigate a delicate balance between regional and global interests.