French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that Israel could face sanctions if it fails to address the Gaza starvation crisis. During a visit to Singapore, Macron said France cannot ignore the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, which aid agencies now describe as catastrophic.
Standing beside Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Macron declared that Israel’s actions have made conditions in Gaza untenable on the ground. He emphasized that the world must not remain passive as Palestinians continue to suffer from extreme hunger and lack of necessities. Macron suggested that France could target Israeli settlers with sanctions, increasing the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Israel, responding to global condemnation, has said it would allow “minimal” humanitarian aid into Gaza. Still, only a trickle of supplies has reached the enclave, and the aid effort has been marred by looting, chaos, and violence. Macron criticized these developments and challenged assumptions that Israel is adhering to human rights norms.
At the same time, Macron voiced support for recognizing a Palestinian state, calling it “not only a moral duty but a political necessity.” However, he noted that any such recognition would come under strict conditions, including the demilitarization of Hamas and security guarantees for Israel.
Efforts by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.- and Israel-backed NGO, have drawn heavy criticism from international bodies, including the United Nations. Scenes of disorder at aid distribution points have highlighted the failure of current relief measures.
UNRWA said it is ready to deploy aid from Amman, but access approval is pending. Meanwhile, Hamas continues reviewing a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, saying the plan risks perpetuating “killing and famine.”
With one in five Gazans facing imminent hunger, Macron’s comments add urgency to growing international demands. As the Gaza starvation crisis worsens, global leaders face increasing pressure to act.
