Joint Statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the Armed Forces — Delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population (3 November 2023)

At the behest of President Macron, France will charter another two military flights coordinated by the Ministry for the Armed Forces and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, via the latter’s Crisis and Support Center (CDCS), to deliver emergency humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Since October 28, 17 tons of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza have been shipped aboard an A400M aircraft via Egypt. These two new military flights, which should take off in the coming days, will carry 37 tons of additional humanitarian aid.

This emergency humanitarian aid will be turned over to the Egyptian Red Crescent. This shipment is France’s latest response to the humanitarian emergency in Gaza and is intended to benefit civilian populations there. France reiterates its call for a humanitarian truce so that aid can reach civilians in Gaza in a more sustainable manner.

These military flights are complemented by a military deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean centered around the Tonnerre, an amphibious helicopter carrier; the Surcouf, a light stealth frigate; and the Alsace, an anti-air warfare multi-mission frigate. The Dixmude, an amphibious helicopter carrier that will have reinforced medical capabilities, will soon be sent to the area to relieve the Tonnerre and consolidate our force.

At the same time, France is working with different stakeholders to organize broader medical support that incorporates the capabilities of other nations.