BRUSSELS

French lawmaker Gabrielle Cathala from the France Unbowed (LFI) party, who is aboard the Gaza-bound humanitarian ship Handala, criticized the French government's stance on the mission and reminded officials of their obligations under international law.

"It is rather doing nothing to establish a humanitarian airlift and making our country complicit in a genocide that is irresponsible, immoral, unacceptable," Cathala wrote on X, responding to French Deputy Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's social media post.

"International law applies to everyone, including Macronist ministers," the lawmaker added, confirming that six French nationals are on board.

The minister said on X that travel advisories apply to all, including MPs, and argued the mission as "dangerous, strongly discouraged, and can in no way contribute to resolving the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe there."

He added that diplomatic staff would "as always, fulfill their consular mission to best manage the consequences of this irresponsible initiative."

The ship Handala, a repurposed 1968 Norwegian fishing trawler, is carrying medical supplies, food, and aid equipment for Palestinian children in Gaza.

It is crewed by around 20 international participants, including European lawmakers, rights activists, and journalists.

Last month, Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, detaining 12 activists, including French MEP Rima Hassan and climate activist Greta Thunberg. In May, the Conscience ship was attacked by drones in international waters near Malta, with reports linking the assault to Israeli military activity.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 59,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and a spread of diseases.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.