France calls for an immediate, lasting and sustained humanitarian truce [fr]

Mr. President,

I thank the Director-General of the WHO and Mr Marwan Jilani for their briefings.

The terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel on 7 October must be unanimously condemned. All hostages need to be released immediately without conditions. All lives are valuable, and there can be no double standards: Israel has the right to defend itself, and the duty to do so in a manner that respects international humanitarian law and thus protects civilians.

Mr. President,

Palestinian civilians lose their lives every day in Gaza, Palestinian children lose their lives every day in Gaza. As we have heard, they are also exposed to the worst possible sanitary conditions, and the highest risk of epidemics. France thanks the WHO for its teams’ work on the ground. We also applaud the commitment of the UN Secretary-General and the work of UN agencies and humanitarian actors on the ground. We extend our sincere condolences to the United Nations after the death of 100 UNRWA personnel.

The humanitarian situation is catastrophic, and we must act. To that end, France continues to call for an immediate, lasting and sustained humanitarian truce, which should result in a ceasefire toward which we must all work.

Unimpeded and lasting humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip must be provided as a matter of urgency. All checkpoints need to be opened. The number of convoys needs to be commensurate with needs. Civilian infrastructures and hospitals must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. There is a need to ensure the immediate restoration of basic services, in particular to guarantee access to water, sanitation and electricity.

The international humanitarian conference in support of the civilian population in Gaza, which was organized in Paris yesterday on the initiative of French President Mr. Macron, resulted in more than one billion euros of financial contributions. Assistance from France for the Palestinian civilian population has risen to 100 million euros. France has also delivered 87 tonnes of humanitarian cargo over the past few days. 30 tonnes of additional assistance will be delivered in the days to come as part of the air bridge of the European Union.

Mr. President,

The violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population, which is increasing in the West Bank and forcing Palestinian communities to flee, is unacceptable, and France reiterates its call for the Israeli authorities to bring an end to this.

We also have a duty to prevent a conflagration of the whole region. We call for the safety of the blue helmets of UNIFIL, UNDOF and UNTSO, who continue to carry out their mandates. France is fully committed to avoiding a spillover of this conflict. We also condemn the Houthis strikes towards Israel.

The world can no longer disregard the legitimate aspiration of Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace and security. We all are aware of the conditions necessary for this lasting peace: indispensable guarantees for Israel’s security and a state for the Palestinians. There is a need to restore a political horizon. The only viable solution is a two-state solution. This imperative can no longer be just a prospect. It needs to become a reality.

France will persevere with our constructive engagement in this Council to ensure that a resolution is adopted as soon as possible. We owe this to the Israelis and Palestinians.

Thank you.