France threatens tougher stance on Israel as US proposes new Gaza ceasefire plan
President Emmanuel Macron has warned France could harden its position against Israel, including potential sanctions on Israeli settlers, if humanitarian aid to Gaza remains blocked. His comments come as a new US-backed ceasefire proposal emerged to end the devastating 20-month conflict.
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"The humanitarian blockade is creating an untenable situation on the ground," Macron said on Friday in Singapore, on the last day of an official visit to southeast Asia.
"If there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position," Macron said, adding that France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers.
On Thursday, Israel announced it would create 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank accelerating its ongoing expansion into the Palestinian territory. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
Macron said he still hoped Israel would "change its stance and that we will finally have a humanitarian response".
Israel partially ended an 11-week long aid blockade on Gaza 10 days ago. It has allowed a limited amount of relief to be delivered via two avenues – the United Nations or the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
France pressures Israel to resume full humanitarian aid to Gaza
Meanwhile, a US ceasefire proposal reviewed by Reuters on Friday outlines a potential breakthrough in stalled negotiations.
The plan, guaranteed by President Donald Trump and mediators Egypt and Qatar, proposes a 60-day ceasefire with the release of 28 Israeli hostages – both alive and dead – in the first week, in exchange for 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and remains of 180 dead Palestinians.
Humanitarian aid would flow immediately through the UN, Red Crescent and other channels.
The White House announced Thursday that Israel had accepted the proposal.
Hamas told Reuters it was reviewing the plan and would respond by Saturday.
Israel approved Trump's Gaza truce plan: White House
Macron also reiterated France's committment to working towards a political solution and support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The French leader is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state, diplomats and experts say – a move that could infuriate Israel and deepen Western splits.
French officials are weighing up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting between June 17-20, to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security.
France 'determined' to recognise Palestinian state
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to a Hamas attack on 7 October, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.
At least 54,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to Palestinian health authorities figures deemed credible by the UN.
(with newswires)
