France Expresses Readiness to Support Safe Food Distribution in Gaza
Paris, The Gulf Observer: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Saturday that France, along with its European partners, stands ready to contribute to ensuring the safety of food distribution in the war-torn Palestinian territory of Gaza.
His remarks come amid growing international outrage over the rising number of civilian deaths at Israeli-backed aid distribution points, with over 500 people reportedly killed while seeking food in recent weeks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
“This is a humanitarian tragedy. France — and Europe — are prepared to act to ensure that food reaches those in need without becoming a death sentence,” Barrot said. He emphasized that such efforts would also help address Israeli concerns about aid falling into the hands of armed groups such as Hamas.
Barrot expressed deep anger and sorrow over the reported deaths of hundreds of civilians amid the chaos of humanitarian aid operations. “We cannot stand by while hunger-stricken civilians are gunned down while seeking basic necessities,” he added.
His comments followed sharp criticism of current aid operations by humanitarian groups and international leaders. On Friday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) condemned the Israel- and US-supported food distribution efforts in Gaza, describing them as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a strong rebuke, stating that starving civilians in Gaza must not be subjected to a “death sentence” for seeking food and aid.
In response to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday rejected a Haaretz article that alleged Israeli military commanders had ordered soldiers to fire on Palestinians at aid distribution sites, calling it a “blood libel.”
The Gaza Health Ministry, governed by Hamas, has reported that since late May, over 500 civilians have been killed near aid centers, highlighting the critical humanitarian crisis facing the enclave as food, water, and medical supplies remain dangerously scarce.
France’s offer signals increasing pressure on international actors to find urgent, safe, and neutral mechanisms for delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s beleaguered population.
