Paris: France on Tuesday condemned recent Israeli strikes on civilians near an aid distribution center in Gaza. "France condemns the Israeli strikes that hit civilians gathered around an aid distribution center in Gaza last night, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

According to Anadolu Agency, the statement reiterated France's "full support" for UN agencies and their humanitarian partners, underlining that humanitarian aid "must not be exploited for political or military purposes." The statement further urged the Israeli government to allow immediate, large-scale, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The French Foreign Ministry emphasized that the priority is an "immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages," adding that France is working towards achieving this goal. The statement also highlighted the necessity to "build an alternative to war, for both Palestinians and Israelis," aiming to fulfill the legitimate aspirations for a Palestinian state and to promote peaceful coexistence.

The strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 civilians, most of whom were attempting to access food, and have injured more than 200 others in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict has seen the Israeli army reject international calls for a ceasefire, continuing its offensive against Gaza since October 2023, which has resulted in nearly 56,000 Palestinian deaths, largely affecting women and children.

The international community has been increasingly critical of Israel's actions, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.