French Authorities Call for Independent Inquiry into Gaza Food Aid Killings as Global Outrage Grows
In a tragic incident that has sparked global outrage, more than 100 Palestinians were killed and over 750 wounded while collecting food aid in northern Gaza. The attack took place at the Nabulsi roundabout in Gaza City on Thursday, leaving the international community demanding answers and justice.
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire on the crowd as they gathered for flour, while Israeli officials claim that their soldiers fired in self-defense when the aid trucks were stormed. The conflicting accounts have further complicated the situation and hindered efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas.
French authorities have taken a strong stance on the issue, calling for an independent inquiry into the killings. Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne emphasized that France would not apply “double standards” to the Israel-Palestine conflict. He stated, “We will ask for explanations, and there will have to be an independent probe to determine what happened. France calls things by their name. This applies when we designate Hamas as a terrorist group, but we must also call things by their name when there are atrocities in Gaza.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the shootings, asserting that the aid seekers were “targeted by Israeli soldiers.” Macron’s strong condemnation reflects the growing global sentiment against Israel’s actions.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of disregarding the massacre and labeled him as the “political face” of Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. The ministry called for imposing sanctions on the Israeli government to ensure the protection of civilians and secure their humanitarian needs.
The United States President Joe Biden, while not directly condemning the shootings, acknowledged that there are “two competing versions” of the killings. Biden expressed concern that the incident would complicate efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting but failed to issue a statement condemning the killings due to objections from the US. However, the international community has not remained silent. China strongly condemned the incident and urged Israel to cease fire, protect civilians, and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey also denounced the killings and called for immediate action to halt the violence.
The European Union, Germany, and several other European countries have joined the calls for an investigation into the incident. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, expressed deep disturbance by the images from Gaza and stressed the need for transparency in investigating what happened. Germany, despite being a staunch supporter of Israel, demanded an explanation for the mass panic and shooting.
The incident has also reverberated across South America. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of weapons purchases from Israel, labeling their actions as a “genocide” of the Palestinian people. Brazil also condemned the killings, criticizing Israel’s military operation for lacking ethical and legal limits.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the Ministry of Health reporting a death toll of 30,228 Palestinians since October 7. UN agencies have warned of a potential famine if more aid does not enter the strip soon.
As the global outrage grows, pressure mounts on Israel to be held accountable for the tragic incident. The demand for an independent inquiry reflects the international community’s commitment to justice and ensuring the protection of civilians in conflict zones. Only through a thorough investigation can the truth be uncovered and steps taken to prevent such atrocities in the future.