French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the ongoing starvation of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, declaring that depriving an entire population of food, medicine, and humanitarian aid “is a crime that must stop at once.”

In remarks released Monday following his discussions with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Macron emphasized France’s support for efforts to halt the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. “We are working closely with Qatar to ensure the success of mediation efforts,” Macron said, while also confirming preparations for the Two-State Solution conference scheduled for 22 September in New York.

Since 2 March, the Israeli occupation has sealed Gaza’s crossings, deliberately preventing the entry of basic necessities—food, medical supplies, fuel, and humanitarian assistance. Rights groups warn that this blockade is being used as a weapon of war to collectively punish Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people, pushing them into famine-like conditions.

On 18 March 2025, Israel reignited its brutal military campaign against Gaza, unleashing a wave of airstrikes across the Strip and shattering a fragile 60-day ceasefire that had been mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The occupation refused to proceed with the agreed second phase of the deal, which included a 42-day extension, nor the planned third stage that would have paved the way toward a permanent ceasefire.

Since resuming its genocidal assault, the Israeli military has martyred at least 62,744 Palestinians, while wounding 158,259 others, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Alarmingly, nearly 72% of the victims are women and children, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of Israel’s campaign.

Humanitarian organizations have described the current situation as one of the most severe man-made crises of the 21st century, warning that the starvation policy, compounded by relentless bombardment, is designed to break the resilience of the Palestinian people and force them into submission or displacement.

Macron’s statement, while welcomed by Palestinians, underscores the growing international recognition that Israel’s blockade and war crimes are unsustainable. Activists, however, insist that words are not enough—calling on France, the European Union, and the wider international community to impose sanctions, suspend arms sales, and hold Israel accountable for genocide before it is too late. (ILKHA)