Israel / Palestinian Territories (7 August 2024)

"France expresses its profound consternation regarding the disgraceful remarks made by the Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who stated that to "cause two million civilians to die of hunger… might be justified and moral" in order to free the hostages in Gaza. France calls on the Israeli government to firmly condemn these unacceptable remarks.

France reiterates that Israel must comply with the order handed down by the ICJ on January 26, 2024, and take all necessary measures to that effect.

France reiterates that providing humanitarian aid to two million civilians whose situation is absolutely urgent in a blockaded territory where Israel controls all the access points constitutes an obligation under international humanitarian law, as was stated once again by the International Court of Justice. France also reiterates that the situation in Palestine has been referred to the International Court of Justice. Moreover, the International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Karim Khan, reiterated that impeding relief supplies may constitute a crime within the ICC's jurisdiction.

Given the risk of regional destabilization and the unacceptable death toll, now it is more urgent than ever that a ceasefire be finalized in order to allow for the release of all the hostages, including two French citizens, the end to the Gazans' suffering, and the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid."