France condemns Israeli Gaza offensive as “flagrant violation” of international law

The French government has issued a forceful condemnation of Israel’s newly announced military campaign in the Gaza Strip, warning that the planned “conquest” of the Palestinian enclave and the anticipated mass displacement of its population constitute a flagrant breach of international law.

The criticism follows Israel’s declaration on May 5 of an expanded military operation in Gaza, which the Israeli army has said will involve the internal displacement of “most” of the territory’s inhabitants, Caliber.Az reports via French media.

In a televised interview, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated France’s unequivocal opposition to what he described as an unacceptable escalation.

“The urgent priority is a ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid,” Barrot stressed. “Even in the context of war, civilians and humanitarian workers must not be targeted. To say that this government is clearly violating international law is not an affront to the Israeli people—it is a legal and moral imperative.”

Barrot pointed to alarming reports from international aid organizations indicating that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. “Within the Gaza enclave, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Food Programme both report that there is nothing left to eat. The risk of famine is now very real,” he said. “Humanitarian access must be opened immediately.”

The French foreign minister went on to characterize Israel’s occupation plan as “a clear violation of international law,” warranting what he described as “a very strong condemnation” from France and the broader international community.

Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Barrot reaffirmed France’s long-standing support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. “France is widely respected on these issues, and we are working not only to achieve recognition of Palestine but to ensure our efforts have concrete impact on the ground,” he said.

“We aim to act in coordination with other nations, to build momentum, and to lay the foundations for the very existence of a Palestinian state—something that remains far from assured at present,” the French minister added.

By Vafa Guliyeva