Macron: France could 'apply sanctions' against Israel

President Emmanuel Macron says France could “apply sanctions” against Israeli settlers unless the regime in Tel Aviv puts an end to the humanitarian assistance blockade on Gaza.

In a visit to Singapore on Friday, the French leader urged the international community not to remain passive regarding the devastating hunger crisis in Gaza. 

“If there is no response in the coming hours and days in line with the humanitarian situation, we will have to harden our collective position,” he added, suggesting that France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers.

“The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,” Macron said at a joint news conference alongside Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He made the comments while the Israeli regime has blockaded the Palestinian enclave for close to three months, with aid agencies warning of famine.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused President Macron of embarking on a “crusade” against the Israeli regime after Macron said European countries should consider toughening their stance on Israel if it fails to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

'Future weapons deliveries to Israel will depend on Gaza situation'

Germany will decide whether to approve new weapons shipments to Israel based on an assessment of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Friday.

Wadephul questioned whether Israel’s actions in Gaza are in line with international law.

“We are examining this and, if necessary, we will authorise further arms deliveries based on this examination,” he said.

The Israeli regime has instrumentalized starvation against Palestinians after it failed to achieve its goals through the ongoing genocidal bombardment of the enclave.

It has ignored the calls by the international community regarding the catastrophic hunger crisis in Gaza, saying it has allowed “minimal” supplies of aid to the besieged strip under the control of a new American NGO.

US-backed Gaza aid plan lacks impartiality, aims violence: UN

The United Nations has announced it will not participate in a US-backed humanitarian operation in Gaza, saying the plan breaches its principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

However, the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has reportedly been engineered to facilitate looting and violence.

The project, welcomed by the Israeli regime and backed by the US, has been condemned by the United Nations and other agencies as insufficient, poorly managed, and not adhering to humanitarian principles.

Moreover, GHF centers pave the way for Israeli forces to open fire at Palestinians in the center of the enclave as they try to reach the aid distribution points set up by the NGO, Al Jazeera reported on Friday.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday that it has been denied access to Gaza amid efforts to deliver supplies – including food parcels, hygiene kits, and medical aid – from its warehouses in Amman.

The humanitarian crisis remains dire, with experts warning that one in five people faces imminent starvation.

France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a UN conference between June 17-20 to ensure Israel’s security and decide on the existence of a Palestinian state.

Israel launched the Gaza genocide on October 7, 2023. It has since killed at least 54,249 Palestinians, according to the health ministry of Gaza.

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