ATHENS

Israeli actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem have severely worsened the situation, noted the French Foreign Ministry on Friday.

“France expresses its strong concern over the deterioration of the situation in the Palestinian Territories following recent Israeli actions,” the ministry said in a statement.

Regarding Gaza, the ministry highlighted that Israeli attacks on schools and shelters for displaced persons have resulted in an unacceptable number of civilian casualties.

“France strongly reiterates that the imperative of respecting international humanitarian law applies to everyone, including Israel. In this regard, attacks targeting humanitarian or United Nations personnel are unacceptable. France strongly condemns the Israeli shooting at a World Food Programme (WFP) vehicle in Gaza on August 28, which led to the suspension of WFP activities in the Gaza Strip,” the statement read.

In the West Bank, the ministry condemned the large-scale Israeli operations, which it said are causing unprecedented instability and violence, and stated, “Colonization must cease immediately.”

On Wednesday, the Israeli army launched its largest military offensive since 2002 in the cities of Tulkarm and Jenin, as well as in the Al-Fara refugee camp near Tubas, killing 16 Palestinians, according to Palestinian figures.

Tensions have been high across the occupied West Bank amid a brutal Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7 last year.

At least 670 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 5,400 injured, and over 10,300 arrested in the occupied territory, according to Palestinian figures.

Regarding Jerusalem, the ministry emphasized that the current status quo regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be questioned. “France also condemns the irresponsible remarks of National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, who openly and repeatedly calls for actions contrary to the status quo. It calls on the Israeli government to firmly condemn these unacceptable remarks,” the ministry added.

Ben-Gvir's statement on Monday, in which he asserted that Jews have the right to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and expressed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue inside the Muslim holy site, has sparked international condemnation for inciting further religious conflict.

The far-right Israeli minister has repeatedly called for Jewish prayers at the Muslim holy site in recent months, but this is the first time he has spoken openly about building a synagogue within the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex.