PARIS: France wants an independent probe into the deaths of scores of Palestinian civilians during an aid delivery in Gaza, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne stated on Friday.
In a statement, the top diplomat of France said that they will ask for explanations, and there will have to be an independent investigation to determine what occurred. The Minister said that Paris would not apply “double standards” to the conflict. Sejourne further said the thought of people dying of hunger in the Gaza Strip was “unbearable” for them.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate truce in the Gaza Strip and said the current situation in strip is “terrible”, local media reported on Friday.
In a statement via social media, he said, “Deep indignation at the pictures coming from the Gaza Strip where civilians have been targeted by Israeli forces.”
He added, “I express my strongest condemnation of these bombardments and call for truth, justice, and respect for global law.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres strongly denounced the deadly aid delivery incident in north of Gaza, in which Hamas said 100 people were killed.
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City, desperate for food, flocked to an aid distribution point on Thursday, where they met live fire by Israeli troops. United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressed the need for thorough investigation of the mishap.
Macron Calls for Immediate Truce in Gaza
Meanwhile, Gaza health ministry stated that more than 30,035 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 70,457 wounded in Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza since October 7.
CNN cited the Gaza health ministry’s figures as saying that the mounting casualties reflect the harrowing ordeal endured by Palestinians amidst Israel’s barrage of air attacks and ground offensive, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian issue in the region.
Despite widespread global condemnation and appeals for restraint, Israel’s campaign in the Gaza Strip has continued, backed by steadfast support from the US, its principal ally and main military aid provider.
