Egypt Daily News – The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the Israeli government to immediately halt its military operations in the Gaza Strip and to allow the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid. In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the ministry warned that France would take “concrete measures,” including potential sanctions, if Israel fails to comply.
The statement reaffirmed France’s support for ongoing U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediation efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza. Paris urged all parties to act responsibly to end the conflict and prevent further humanitarian suffering.
In a separate but related move, France summoned the Israeli ambassador in Paris following a shooting incident involving diplomats in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The incident reportedly endangered several members of an international delegation, including Portuguese diplomats.
Earlier, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry also summoned the Israeli ambassador in Lisbon to deliver a formal protest. The ministry revealed that among those targeted in the shooting was the Portuguese ambassador himself, who had been visiting Jenin as part of the delegation.
In its statement, Portugal condemned the attack as “unacceptable” and voiced full solidarity with its ambassador. The ministry stressed that the incident constituted a serious violation of international diplomatic norms, and pledged to take “appropriate diplomatic measures” in response.
The diplomatic fallout adds to mounting European pressure on Israel to change its course in both Gaza and the West Bank, with several governments now weighing political or economic consequences if the violence persists. This warning reflects a broader shift in tone among Western allies, including the United Kingdom and Canada who have voiced strong opposition to Israel’s recent actions and expressed support for mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to bring an end to the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron and other senior officials have previously called for an immediate ceasefire and unfettered access for humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.
