France slams Israeli strikes, backs ceasefire, Gaza aid plan
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French FM Jean-Noel Barrot proposes expanding what he describes as EU missions to "secure" Gaza crossings, train Palestinian police, and coordinate reconstruction.
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France's outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot arrives for a media conference after a meeting with his counterparts from European and Arab countries and French President Emmanuel Macron on Mideast talks at the foreign ministry in Paris, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Pool Photo via AP)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday deplored "Israel's" recent airstrikes on Gaza, calling them a violation of the ceasefire and urging all parties to honor their commitments under an agreement reached last week in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip announced earlier today that Israeli occupation forces have committed 80 documented violations since the ceasefire was declared. As of Sunday, these actions represent a significant breach of both the ceasefire agreement and international humanitarian law.
According to the statement, the violations include direct gunfire targeting civilians, deliberate artillery shelling, the use of fire belts, and arrests. The office noted that Israeli tanks and military vehicles have been positioned near residential neighborhoods, while drones and warplanes continued surveillance and opened fire on civilian areas.
The office also reported the use of electronic cranes equipped with remote targeting systems in several attacks.
“I deplore the recent violations of the ceasefire, including Israeli strikes on Gaza following attacks on soldiers,” Barrot told reporters ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.
“All parties must strictly respect the commitments they made under the agreement signed last week in Sharm el-Sheikh, ” he stressed.
It is worth noting that the documented violations have resulted in the killing of at least 97 Palestinians and the injury of more than 230 others across all governorates of the Gaza Strip. The office warned that such continued aggression threatens the total collapse of the ceasefire.
Restoring calm, ensuring delivery of humanitarian aid top priority
Barrot also emphasized that restoring calm and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid must remain the international community’s top priority.
“Europe stands ready to help secure the crossings,” he said, referring to the EU Border Assistance Mission in Rafah (EUBAM Rafah).
“I will propose that we strengthen this mission so that it can take part not only in securing the passage of people but also of goods entering Gaza in large quantities to ease the suffering of the population,” he declared.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the French foreign minister reiterated France’s support for the US-led ceasefire plan announced in late September.
Barrot's proposals
Barrot said France supports the establishment of an administrative committee and the deployment of Palestinian police under a UN mandate to ensure security in the enclave.
He also proposed expanding the EU’s policing mission, EUPOL COPPS, currently operating in the occupied West Bank, to help train Palestinian security forces in Gaza and neighboring countries.
France will co-organize, along with Egypt, the US, and other international partners, a conference in the coming weeks to coordinate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Barrot’s remarks came as EU foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg to discuss both the war on Gaza and the war in Ukraine.
Support for Ukraine
Turning to Ukraine, Barrot reaffirmed the EU’s continued support as the war reaches its 1,000th day.
He announced a new European Commission loan aimed at helping Ukraine defend itself “for at least three years,” noting that the financial assistance would be repaid.
“Through the reparations that Russia will owe to Ukraine.”
“The funds granted to Ukraine will allow it to acquire defense equipment, including European-made weapons,” he said.
Barrot also said he would propose a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure, including major refining companies such as Rosneft and Gazprom.
He added that Brussels intends to crack down on Moscow’s so-called "shadow fleet", a network of vessels allegedly used to circumvent oil sanctions.
Barrot claimed that “time is playing against Vladimir Putin,” adding that the EU’s financial and military backing would “enable Ukraine to resist aggression and prepare for a credible peace process.”
He welcomed the recent EU agreement on the European Defense Industry Programme (EDIP), calling it, “A major step toward Europe’s strategic autonomy and independence.”
