France has pledged to ensure the safety of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza, following reports that over 600 Palestinians seeking food have been killed by Israeli forces in recent weeks.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said his country had a “moral obligation” to act in the face of what he called a “human catastrophe” unfolding in the war-torn Palestinian enclave. His remarks came as international outrage intensified over the conduct of Israel’s military near food distribution sites in Gaza.
“Over 600 people have lost their lives in food distribution in Gaza in recent weeks. These casualties could have been prevented,” Barrot said.
He added that France, along with other European partners, stands ready to assist in securing the safety of aid operations: “France stands ready, Europe as well, to contribute to the safety of food distribution in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.”
A prominent Israeli news outlet critical of the government published a report this week alleging that orders were given by Israeli field commanders to fire on civilians seeking food at aid centres. While the Netanyahu government has rejected the claims, questions persist over the conduct of the Israeli Defence Forces.
Also read: Israel rejects claims of firing on Gaza aid seekers
Critics point to a pattern of incidents—including strikes on humanitarian convoys, aid workers, and civilians gathering for essential supplies—that have drawn widespread condemnation. “Israeli armed forces don’t have good credentials,” said a commentator quoted in the outlet, “whether it was drone targeting civilians, killing of World Central Kitchen workers, or bombing streets full of children.”
The United Nations and several humanitarian groups have spoken out strongly against the rising civilian death toll in Gaza. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Friday, “Hungry people in Gaza seeking food must not face a death sentence.”
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) echoed this sentiment, describing the current humanitarian setup as a “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid”.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose figures are deemed credible by the UN, at least 627 Palestinians have been killed in targeted attacks during aid collection, and another 4,000 have been injured—many of them sustaining life-altering wounds.
Barrot stressed that any new EU or French-backed aid initiative would be designed to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas combatants. “We cannot turn a blind eye to this,” he said.
Follow us
