French FM: number of civilian casualties in Gaza cannot be justified

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said on Thursday that France has repeatedly and strongly condemned the Israeli strikes that targeted civilians in Gaza, and which also targeted basic infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, refugee camps and even humanitarian areas, stressing that his country always remembers the necessity of respecting international humanitarian law. 

In press statements, in response to a question about France’s position and reaction to the increasing number of civilian casualties in Gaza and recently in Lebanon, Lemoine said: “One year after the start of Israeli military operations in Gaza, the death toll in Gaza is still "It is very severe, as many civilians have died," he said, noting that this number is unacceptable and cannot be justified, explaining that France, in this regard, offers its condolences to the families of the victims. 

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said that the use of force only postpones efforts aiming at a diplomatic settlement of this conflict to ensure peace and security for all in the region.

 He also stressed that the diplomatic solution must be based on an immediate and permanent ceasefire, which would lead to the implementation of the two-state solution.