France demands Israel comply with international court ruling

The French government issued a formal statement on Thursday urging Israel to comply with international legal obligations as outlined in a recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion. Paris specifically demanded that Israel remove all impediments blocking humanitarian assistance from reaching Palestinian populations in both Gaza and the West Bank, emphasizing the need for "immediate and uninterrupted" aid delivery.

Support for UN Agencies and Ceasefire Terms

France's declaration reinforced its commitment to the ICJ as the United Nations' principal judicial body and stressed the importance of Israeli cooperation with UN organizations, particularly UNRWA. The statement highlighted that "all parties" must fully implement ceasefire agreements, including provisions ensuring humanitarian access to address the severe needs of civilians in the region affected by the ongoing conflict.

ICJ Ruling and Aid Blockade Context

The International Court of Justice's non-binding opinion stated that Israel bears legal responsibility to permit UNRWA to conduct humanitarian operations in Gaza. Despite UNRWA reports of sufficient stored supplies to feed Gaza's population for three months, Israeli authorities have prevented the agency from distributing these resources since March, creating a critical shortage in the territory.

Mounting Humanitarian Crisis

The diplomatic appeal from France comes amid a devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza. According to health authorities in the territory, the military operation that began in October 2023 has resulted in extensive casualties, underscoring the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access that international bodies and now European governments are demanding.