Mr President,
I thank Mr. Türk, as well as Doctors Peeperkorn and Haj-Hassan, for their presentations.
Palestinians in Gaza continue, after 14 months of conflict, to suffer from undignified living conditions, and they remain deprived of everything.
France once again calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This is the one and only means allowing the protection of civilian populations and the massive delivery of humanitarian aid which these populations so badly need.
France demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. She will continue to condemn the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.
Security Council resolutions must be implemented. The extreme seriousness of the situation obliges us to do so. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, particularly in terms of access to healthcare.
France condemns recent Israeli military operations targeting several hospitals, in particular that of Kamal Adwan. Israel must comply with international humanitarian law. This requires respect and protection of medical infrastructures and personnel.
Obstructions to humanitarian aid constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. Israel has a duty to allow aid to flow. All crossing points must be open, the security of convoys and humanitarian actors must be ensured, and restrictions must be lifted. France finally recalls the irreplaceable nature of UNRWA in the humanitarian response to Gaza.
This Council must act, both to respond to the emergency and to work towards a political settlement, which involves the effective implementation of the two-State solution. This is today threatened by the acceleration of illegal colonization of the West Bank.
France will play its full part: next June it will co-chair, alongside Saudi Arabia, an international conference on the implementation of the two-state solution.
It will also remain mobilized in the Security Council, so that it contributes to this solution, which is the only one capable of guaranteeing the security of Israel and allowing the building of a State for the Palestinians.
She calls for the establishment of a reformed Palestinian Authority, capable of exercising its responsibilities throughout the Palestinian Territories, including in the Gaza Strip.
Thank you.
