France Calls for Urgent Passage of Blocked Gaza Aid at Egypt Border

France has delivered a total of 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the Élysée Palace. However, a portion of the aid remains stuck at border crossings, prompting French officials to call for immediate action to ensure access for life-saving supplies.

"The current situation cannot continue," the French presidency said, expressing concern over the continued blockage of humanitarian assistance destined for civilians in Gaza.

French Prime Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who accompanied President Emmanuel Macron during his official visit to Egypt, echoed this message in a post published Tuesday evening on his official account on the social platform X. “In Egypt with the President of the Republic to affirm that international humanitarian law is not optional,” Barrot wrote, highlighting France’s stance on the urgent need to respect humanitarian principles during armed conflicts.

The remarks followed a visit by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Emmanuel Macron to the city of Arish, near the Rafah border crossing, as part of Macron’s high-level state visit to Egypt. Arish has become a central hub for international aid heading to Gaza since the onset of the humanitarian crisis.

France has been vocal about the need to increase humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and ensure that aid reaches those in need without delay. The visit and statements come amid mounting international calls to uphold international humanitarian law and facilitate the delivery of relief to conflict zones.