France remains 'firmly opposed' to any attempt at annexation in Gaza, West Bank

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) — France on Wednesday reaffirmed its "firm opposition" to any attempt at annexation in the West Bank and Gaza.

"We are firmly opposed to any attempt at annexation, whether in the West Bank or Gaza," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said at a weekly press briefing.

Lemoine described the situation in Gaza as "absolutely appalling," stressing that the humanitarian assistance remains "insufficient."

"The population in Gaza is in an atrocious state of extreme deprivation, and humanitarian aid must be allowed in freely and massively," he added.

Lemoine also talked of France's support for reviewing the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union.

"If you read this agreement, you’ll see that it includes several types of measures: measures regarding political dialogue, cooperation, and also commercial measures. (...) The discussion is underway to review this association agreement. As far as France is concerned, this is the line we are pursuing," he added.

The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a devastating offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing over 54,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

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 crimes against civilians in the enclave.