Israel/Palestinian Territories – Gaza Strip Departures (25 April 2025)

France has been working for 18 months to provide refuge to its citizens and their dependents, the staff of the French Institute in Gaza and their families, and Palestinian figures with ties to our country.

On April 23, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organized the departure of 115 people from the Gaza Strip; they arrived in France today. This operation follows a previous one on April 16, in which 59 people were evacuated to France. Among the evacuees were a number of children, who can finally join their families living in France. This operation stems from a desire to protect our nationals and their dependents; all of the evacuees had ties to France.

France reaffirms its commitment to the right of return for Gazans in the enclave. We reiterate our opposition to any forced displacement of Gaza’s Palestinian population, which would be a serious violation of international law and a major destabilizing factor for our close partners, Egypt and Jordan, and for the entire region. It would also jeopardize diplomatic prospects for ending the conflict, which must come about through the implementation of the two-State solution, which we will champion at the French-Saudi conference in June 2025.

France reiterates its call for full, unhindered humanitarian access allowing aid for the civilian population to enter the Gaza Strip, and for the resumption of ceasefire negotiations.