Paris: France has issued a strong condemnation of the renewed Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip. In a statement released on Tuesday, the French Foreign Ministry expressed grave concern over the Israeli strikes that have been ongoing since the previous day, resulting in a significant number of civilian casualties.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the French government is urging an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression and calling for the full restoration of the ceasefire. It emphasized the need for the protection of civilians and urged Israel to ensure the permanent safety of all individuals in the affected areas. Furthermore, France has called for the restoration of essential services such as water and electricity and demanded the removal of barriers that hinder the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The recent escalation of violence follows Israel's unilateral termination of the ceasefire agreement, leading to a series of intense airstrikes on five municipalities in Gaza. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including more than 100 children. The Palestinian health ministry reports that the death toll has reached 412, with over 564 people injured. Emergency teams are currently engaged in efforts to rescue individuals trapped beneath the rubble.
The escalating conflict has raised significant concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by an ongoing siege and restrictions on medical and humanitarian aid. Since October 2023, Israel's military operations in the area have claimed the lives of over 48,572 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and left 112,032 others injured. Additionally, approximately 10,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, believed to be buried under the debris of demolished homes.
The conflict has also led to the mass displacement of nearly two million people within the Gaza Strip, with the majority seeking refuge in the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border. This movement of people marks the largest mass exodus in Palestine since the 1948 Nakba.
