M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, represented France at the humanitarian conference for Gaza, which Egypt held in Cairo on 2 December.
A year after the international humanitarian conference for Gaza's civilian population held in Paris on 7 November 2023, Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed France's determination to lend its support to the civilian victims of the conflict in Gaza. France has already raised €200 million for this since the start of the conflict in order to cover Palestinian civilians' most essential needs as regards health, water, food and basic necessities.
At it, the Minister announced a new contribution of €50 million, including €20 million for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), whose work is essential for aiding the civilian population. This humanitarian aid will enable an emergency response to be provided in the sectors of food, shelter, health and protection, in particular for women and children.
The Minister called for all obstacles to humanitarian access to Gaza to be removed.
The Minister called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all the hostages and the massive entry of humanitarian aid. He expressed France's conviction that only a political process towards a two-State solution would allow a just and lasting peace guaranteeing Israel's security and regional integration and the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations.