France has banned Israeli companies from participating in this year’s annual Eurosatory arms and defence industry exhibition in Villepinte near Paris next month.

The event’s organisers and French authorities have said by decision of the government authorities, there will be no stand for the Israeli defence industry at the Eurosatory 2024 fair.

The French Defence Ministry suggested that the decision was linked to Paris’s opposition to the continuing Israeli assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.

Meanwhile, US President announces that Israel has agreed to a proposal that would lead to a “lasting” ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

During a news conference at the White House Biden said the proposal involves three phases, the first of which would last six weeks and include a full and complete ceasefire, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza.