French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that France could impose sanctions on Israelis if the Israeli government fails to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking in Singapore, Macron emphasized that the international community cannot remain passive while Palestinians face a deepening hunger crisis. “The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,” he said, adding that if there’s no response in the coming hours and days, France will have to “harden our collective position”.
Macron’s comments come as aid agencies warn of famine in Gaza, with one in five people facing imminent starvation. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, has expanded its relief operations, but its efforts have been widely condemned as insufficient and poorly managed. UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has expressed readiness to deliver supplies from its warehouses in Amman if allowed access.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of violence and casualties at aid distribution centers. Israeli forces have shot and wounded at least 20 people seeking aid, with some fatalities reported. According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, at least 58 people have died due to malnutrition, and 242 others due to a lack of food and medicine since March 2, 2025.
International Response
Macron has also stressed that recognition of a Palestinian state is “not only a moral duty, but a political necessity,” although its establishment would need to come under specific conditions. French officials are weighing up this move ahead of a United Nations conference to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state while ensuring Israel’s security.
Ceasefire Talks
Talks over a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas continue, with the US having put forward a new proposal. However, Hamas has said the proposal is “still under discussion” and would only result in “the continuation of killing and famine” in Gaza in its current form.