France says Israel's military operations should not prevent access to basic humanitarian aid

PARIS

France said Thursday that Israel's military operations against Gaza should not prevent access to basic humanitarian aid.

When asked by Anadolu whether France initiated efforts to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza where nearly 340,000 residents were displaced in the last 24 hours, Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Anne-Clarie Legendre said France is closely monitoring the matter.

She noted that Foreign Minister Catherine Collard stressed that Israeli military operations against Gaza should be conducted according to international law.

The ongoing conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said it was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

More than 2,800 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Saturday, including over 1,500 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis.