U.S. Military Intervention in Gaza, Aid from France for Humanity, Hamas Publishes Video of Captive Israeli Citizen...
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire with a prolonged famine, severe food insecurity, and widespread starvation. Over 1,373 Palestinian civilians have been killed seeking aid since late May 2025, with thousands more wounded, often near aid distribution points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and UN convoys.
The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced that all profiles entering France will undergo a new verification process. However, he stated that no evacuation will take place until the consequences of the investigation are drawn. This comes amidst a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by acute malnutrition, destruction of critical infrastructure, and overwhelming health facilities treating thousands of the wounded and malnourished.
On August 1st, the French army conducted the first aerial delivery of food aid to Gaza. Yet, the role of the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been heavily criticized for violating humanitarian norms, contributing to militarization around aid sites, and being implicated in attacks against aid seekers. The UN, NGOs, and human rights groups have called for the GHF to be shut down immediately.
International entities, including the UN and major humanitarian organizations like Save the Children, Oxfam, Amnesty International, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have been actively involved in attempting to provide aid. However, the blockade and conflict dynamics severely hinder aid delivery and exacerbate the crisis.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized Gaza's situation as an epic humanitarian catastrophe on the brink of famine, with at least half a million people expected to enter IPC Phase 5 (catastrophe), characterized by starvation and death. Displacement and destruction have limited safe zones to under 12% of Gaza's area. The IRC calls for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians and infrastructure, and allow scale-up of humanitarian aid.
Israel has faced criticism for its actions in Gaza, with Israeli writer David Grossman calling the situation a "genocide". On Friday, air raid sirens were heard in several Israeli cities after a projectile was fired from Yemen towards Israel. Air defense systems were activated to intercept the threat, according to the Israeli army. In response, Israeli fire resulted in two more deaths and over 70 injuries near a food distribution center.
The armed wing of Hamas has released videos of two hostages, Evyatar David, 24, and Rom Braslavski, an Israeli-German citizen, both abducted on October 7, 2023. The videos show the hostages, emaciated and visibly weakened, being held in tunnels. The Israeli army has not yet commented on these incidents.
In a bid to alleviate the crisis, American envoy Steve Witkoff, the special presidential envoy for peace missions, visited Gaza on Friday to assess the humanitarian situation and promise increased aid. Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Jerusalem, accompanied Steve Witkoff on his visit. However, France will halt the intake of Gazans evacuated to its territory until an investigation into antisemitism lapses is complete.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini advocated for aid to be conveyed by road rather than aerial drops, citing the difficulties faced by the grounded trucks carrying nearly 6,000 tons of aid blocked outside Gaza. Airstrikes and shelling in Gaza on Friday resulted in 11 deaths, according to Gaza's Civil Defense. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to unfold, with international aid efforts facing significant challenges.
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- "Despite the escalating tension and politics surrounding the war-and-conflicts in Gaza, international entities such as the UN, Save the Children, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have intensified their efforts to deliver general-news and humanitarian aid to the region."
- "Amidst the ongoing investigations into antisemitism allegations, France has decided to halt the intake of evacuees from Gaza, citing politics as a factor in their decision, as the humanitarian crisis in the region continues to unfold."
