Barrot’s comments followed a statement from Agence France-Presse’s journalists’ association, highlighting the dire situation for their colleagues in Gaza, who are experiencing severe hunger.
“No one among us recalls witnessing a colleague die from starvation. We refuse to see that happen,” the union stated.
The statement detailed the condition of a long-time AFP contributor since 2010, who remarked, “My body is thin and I can no longer work.”
Regarding the situation of AFP journalists in Gaza, Barrot expressed hope for evacuating some journalist collaborators in the near future.
The French foreign minister also voiced criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
“There is no longer any justification for the Israeli army’s military operations in Gaza. This offensive exacerbates a catastrophic situation, leading to new forced displacements of populations, which we condemn firmly,” he said.
Israel’s invasion of Gaza commenced in October 2023, following a deadly terror attack by Hamas militants in Israel, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. The subsequent Israel Defense Forces’ war on Hamas has led to the deaths of tens of thousands in the Gaza Strip, according to international and local reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces rising pressure after 28 foreign ministers and the EU’s humanitarian aid commissioner condemned Israel for what they described as “the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children.”
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