ISTANBUL

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday deplored Israel’s recent airstrikes on Gaza, calling them a violation of the ceasefire and urging all parties to honor their commitments under an agreement reached last week in Sharm el-Sheikh.

“I deplore the recent violations of the ceasefire, including Israeli strikes on Gaza following attacks on soldiers,” Barrot told reporters ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.

“All parties must strictly respect the commitments they made under the agreement signed last week in Sharm el-Sheikh.”

He also called on Hamas to “cease violence against civilians” and return the remains of the last hostages held in Gaza, while emphasizing that restoring calm and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid must remain the international community’s top priority.

“Europe stands ready to help secure the crossings,” he said, referring to the EU Border Assistance Mission in Rafah (EUBAM Rafah).

“I will propose that we strengthen this mission so that it can take part not only in securing the passage of people but also of goods entering Gaza in large quantities to ease the suffering of the population.”

He reiterated his country’s support for the US-led ceasefire plan announced in late September, which also seeks to rebuild Gaza and revive political dialogue between Israel and Palestine.

He said France backs the establishment of an administrative committee and the deployment of Palestinian police under a UN mandate to ensure security in the enclave.

Barrot proposed expanding the EU’s policing mission, EUPOL COPPS, currently operating in the West Bank, to train Palestinian security forces in Gaza and neighboring countries.

France will also co-organize, together with Egypt, the US, and other international partners, a conference in the coming weeks to coordinate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

The minister’s remarks come as the EU foreign ministers gathered to discuss both the Gaza situation and the war in Ukraine.

- Support for Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine, Barrot said the 27-member bloc would continue to step up its support for Kyiv as the war enters its 1,000th day.

He announced a new European Commission loan designed to help Ukraine defend itself “for at least three years,” adding that the financial assistance would be repaid “through the reparations that Russia will owe to Ukraine.”

“The funds granted to Ukraine will allow it to acquire defense equipment, including European-made weapons,” he said.

He said he will also propose a new package of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure and major refining companies such as Rosneft and Gazprom.

He added that Brussels intends to crack down on Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels used to circumvent oil restrictions.

Barrot stressed that “time is playing against Vladimir Putin,” and the EU’s financial and military support would “enable Ukraine to resist aggression and prepare for a credible peace process.”

He hailed the recent EU agreement on the European Defense Industry Programme (EDIP), calling it a “major step” toward Europe’s strategic autonomy and independence.