French prime minister says situation in Gaza 'intolerable,' calls for 2-state solution

ISTANBUL

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Wednesday described the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “unacceptable” and “intolerable,” reiterating France’s call for a two-state solution as the only viable path to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“What is happening today in Gaza is a suffering that is intolerable, even for those who have always defended the existence of Israel,” Bayrou said at the French National Assembly.

He stressed that France was among the first nations to condemn the situation and remains actively engaged in finding an effective response.

Turning to the recent attempt by activists to send aid via a flotilla to the Gaza Strip, he accused the mission of being politically motivated.

"These activists achieved exactly the reaction they sought. This is a manipulation we must not fall for," he said.

On Monday, the aid ship Madleen was seized by Israeli naval forces early Monday while sailing in international waters and redirected to the port of Ashdod.

Part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the aid ship had a 12-strong crew on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Hassan.

Other activists aboard the Madleen included Yasemin Acar from Germany, Baptiste Andre, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi and Reva Viard from France, Thiago Avila from Brazil, Suayb Ordu from Türkiye, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera Mubasher, also from France.

Bayrou emphasized that France continues to pursue a diplomatic approach aimed at pressuring the Israeli government.

"We believe that only through diplomatic action and a collective effort by several countries can we push for the only possible solution – a two-state solution, he said.

The Israeli army resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip on March 18 and has since killed 4,821 people and injured 15,535 others, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.