French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot has condemned, in an interview with Radio France, the ongoing Israeli blockade on Gaza, describing it as "indiscriminate violence" that has turned the Palestinian enclave into "a dying ground, if not a cemetery." His remarks come as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate under the weight of relentless Israeli bombing and severe restrictions on aid.

Addressing the worsening Gaza humanitarian crisis, Barrot said Tuesday that the Israeli military’s actions and the blockade of aid have created unbearable conditions for civilians. "This must stop because everyone can see it, it is a profound violation of human dignity, an absolute breach of all international law, and it goes against Israel’s own security, to which France is committed," he said. "Those who sow violence, reap violence."

His comments highlight growing European frustration with the Israeli government’s conduct in Gaza, where relentless attacks and a humanitarian siege have drawn global criticism.

After nearly three months of a complete blockade, the Israeli government allowed a limited number of aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip on Monday. The move comes amid rising international pressure, but French officials view the decision as politically motivated and inadequate.

"Indeed, it has been nearly three months since the Israeli army blocked all humanitarian access, and it has now decided to slightly open the door, mainly for domestic political reasons," Barrot stated, emphasizing that the resumed aid flow remains insufficient and pointing out that even prior to the blockade, the volume of aid reaching Gaza was not enough to meet basic needs.

Aid allowed in a 'fraction of minimum'

In a similar vein, the United Nations described the aid as "a drop in the ocean".

"Today, nine of our trucks were cleared to enter, via the Kerem Shalom crossing," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Gaza government media office stated that despite "Israel's" claims of allowing nine aid trucks into the territory, no substantial humanitarian assistance has reached the Strip in over 80 days due to the ongoing siege and worsening famine conditions.

In a statement issued on Monday, the media office clarified that these nine trucks, which carried only limited nutritional supplements for children, represent a fraction of the 44,000 aid trucks that should have entered Gaza over the past 80 days, reiterating that the besieged enclave requires at least 500 aid trucks and 50 fuel trucks daily to meet its urgent humanitarian needs.

France urges massive humanitarian support for Gaza

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Furthermore, Barrot called for immediate and large-scale humanitarian assistance, warning against complacency in the face of growing suffering in Gaza. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people in Gaza. This aid must be immediate, massive, and completely unobstructed," he insisted.

The French position includes not only calls for increased aid but also political measures targeting Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

France, alongside the Netherlands, is supporting a proposal to reassess the European Union’s association agreement with "Israel." The agreement, which has political and commercial components, may be suspended if the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen.

"These agreements have both political and commercial dimensions, so neither Israel nor the European Union has an interest in terminating them, but the situation of civilians [in Gaza] requires us to take a further step," Barrot said. He also noted that sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank are already in place.

Reiterating France’s commitment to a 'two-state' solution, Barrot stressed that the ongoing aggression undermines both regional stability and "Israel’s" own security. "....We cannot leave Gaza’s children a legacy of violence and hatred," he said.

"That is why we are determined to recognize the State of Palestine," he added, warning that the Israeli government’s actions are "jeopardizing the future security of the Israeli people." He concluded by expressing support for voices within "Israel" and abroad urging the Israeli leadership to change course.

UK, France, Canada warn 'Israel' over Gaza offensive, urge aid entry

The leaders of Britain, France, and Canada on Monday strongly condemned Israeli "egregious actions" in Gaza, criticized its expanded military offensive, and denounced threats from Israeli officials suggesting the mass displacement of Palestinian civilians.

In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared, "We will not stand by" while the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues down this path.

They reiterated their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state as part of efforts to achieve a "two-state solution", saying they are ready to collaborate with others to that end.

The statement by Britain, France, and Canada also denounced "abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate."

It underscored that "Israel's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law."

It also decried the "permanent forced displacement" as a breach of international law.

"We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions," the  three leaders threatened.

Their remarks coincided with a broader appeal from 22 nations  demanding that "Israel" immediately allow a full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the population, they warned, "faces starvation."