France has strongly condemned what it described as deadly Israeli fire targeting civilians gathered around aid distribution centres in Gaza, after two separate incidents reportedly left dozens dead and injured on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by its foreign ministry, France criticized the “Israeli fire that last night hit civilians gathered around an aid distribution centre in Gaza,” referring to an incident in central Gaza that reportedly killed at least 21 people. The Israeli military has acknowledged the reports but stated that the incident remains “under review.”
Later the same day, civil defence sources in southern Gaza claimed another 25 civilians were killed while queuing for food rations. These tragedies highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where more than two million people are living under what human rights groups describe as famine-like conditions.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, which is under the control of Hamas, over 516 people have died and nearly 3,800 have been injured by Israeli fire while seeking food and aid since late May. The crisis was exacerbated after Israel restricted all humanitarian supplies into Gaza between March and May, and access remains limited despite international appeals.
The aid distribution effort is currently managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a privately run entity reportedly backed by both the United States and Israel. The GHF was introduced at the end of May to replace UN agencies, which have been sidelined due to Israeli objections. However, major international humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, have refused to cooperate with GHF, citing concerns that the foundation serves Israeli military interests.
France reaffirmed its support for UN-led humanitarian efforts, praising their adherence to neutrality and humanitarian principles. “Humanitarian aid must not be exploited for political or military purposes,” the French ministry emphasized.
Paris has called on Israel to allow the immediate and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. “France calls on the Israeli government to allow immediate, massive, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid in Gaza,” the statement concluded, underscoring growing international concern over the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
