Israel/Palestinian Territories (30 August 2024)

France expresses its deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian Territories following the latest Israeli actions.

In Gaza, the intensity of the Israeli attacks against schools and shelters for displaced persons is resulting in an unacceptable number of civilian casualties. France stresses that it is imperative for all countries, including Israel, to abide by international humanitarian law. In this regard, attacks on humanitarian workers or UN personnel are unacceptable. France strongly condemns the shots fired by Israel at a World Food Programme vehicle in Gaza on August 28, which led to the suspension of WFP’s activities in the Gaza Strip. France reiterates its call for the swift, unconditional release of all the hostages and an immediate ceasefire in light of the humanitarian emergency in Gaza. Immediate, safe, unhindered humanitarian access via all possible routes must be guaranteed, as stipulated by UN Security Council resolutions 2712 and 2720.

France takes note of the agreement reached on local humanitarian pauses in order to begin polio vaccination in Gaza. It asks all the stakeholders to do everything in their power to make this agreement a reality as swiftly as possible and to continue for as long as the situation on the ground requires.

In the West Bank, large-scale Israeli military operations in several governorates are exacerbating the climate of unprecedented instability and violence. They are contrary to international law, as the International Court of Justice recently emphasized, and aimed at making the two-state solution impossible. As the ICJ noted on July 19, France emphasizes that Israel must take all necessary measures to this effect.

In Jerusalem, the now systematic challenge to the Status Quo on Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount is creating the risk of widespread unrest. France condemns all actions that violate the Status Quo and reiterates the importance of Jordan’s specific role in this regard. France also condemns the irresponsible remarks by Mr. Ben Gvir, who has openly and repeatedly called for actions that are contrary to the Status Quo. It urges the Israeli government to strongly condemn these unacceptable remarks.