As the "Humanitarian Conference" organized by Paris commenced to attempt to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that protecting civilians in Gaza is an essential and non-negotiable matter. In his speech at the conference on Thursday, he stated, "We hope to reach a humanitarian initiative that achieves tangible progress in Gaza." He added, "We are in contact with Israel and the Palestinians regarding humanitarian work in Gaza," asserting that a humanitarian truce must be reached in the sector, after which a ceasefire would be feasible.
Furthermore, Macron stated that those responsible for the October 7 attack must be held accountable. He mentioned that "Israel has the right to defend itself, but there is a responsibility to respect international law." He stressed that "other parties must not be allowed to join the ongoing conflict in Gaza." He also affirmed that "the principle of a two-state solution serves the security of Israel, and we will not deviate from the right of Palestinians to have their own state," pointing out that "peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through a two-state solution."
For his part, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that what is happening in Gaza amounts to "collective punishment." He added during his speech at the conference that entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been leveled. He emphasized that 700,000 people are living in extremely poor conditions in Gaza, noting the significant health and environmental risks in the sector. He also mentioned that 99 agency staff members have been killed in Gaza. Lazzarini remarked that the international community has been slow in calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza, clarifying that the volume of aid reaching Gaza through Rafah is absolutely insufficient. He added that "the agency is the last beacon of hope in Gaza, and the international community must support it." He also confirmed that the West Bank is boiling with Israel and settlers continuing to threaten Palestinians. He emphasized that ultimately the establishment of a Palestinian state is essential and must happen.
Meanwhile, UN Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths explained that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and unacceptable. He stated during his speech at the conference, "We have not participated in the creation of safe areas in Gaza, and we have serious concerns about them." He emphasized that aid, including fuel, must be delivered to Gaza safely and without restrictions, confirming that Gaza needs at least five times the amount of aid it receives daily. He added that there should be more than one crossing point for aid to Gaza and stressed that reaching a humanitarian ceasefire is necessary and a priority.
