France delivers 40 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza, confirms foreign minister
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding. Over 2 million people in the region are fully dependent on food aid, and the global hunger monitor has warned of a potential famine scenario.
In an effort to alleviate the crisis, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Friday that France is sending four flights carrying 10 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza from Jordan. However, the French minister acknowledged that this aid is not sufficient to address the "revolting" situation in Gaza.
The aid from France, labeled as emergency aid, is expected to arrive in Gaza, but it is unclear how it will be distributed or used once it arrives. The current humanitarian aid situation in Gaza is dire, with severe challenges preventing sufficient food and medical assistance from reaching the population.
The worsening situation in Gaza is due to several key factors. Since May 2025, restricted aid access and violence at distribution sites have been a significant issue. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which replaced previous UN agencies like UNRWA, has faced deadly attacks by Israeli forces and foreign contractors at aid distribution points. This violence has killed nearly 1,400 people and injured over 4,000 while seeking food, severely limiting access for vulnerable groups such as women, children, disabled persons, and the elderly.
Another challenge is the blockades and limited border crossings. Although some border crossings reopened in late May, only two are currently operational for humanitarian convoys. This restricts the number of trucks that can enter Gaza, and delays at checkpoints can last up to 46 hours. Consequently, only about half the requested aid convoys are reaching Gaza, and the total food aid delivered (48.5 million pounds since May) remains far below the estimated monthly need of over 135 million pounds to feed the population.
The extensive fighting since late 2023 has killed tens of thousands and destroyed roughly 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure. Over 90% of residents have been forcibly displaced, with safe areas shrinking to less than 12%. These disruptions exacerbate food insecurity, damage water and sanitation systems, and overwhelm hospitals and nutrition centers, pushing the health system close to collapse.
Malnutrition rates have surged, with at least 180 deaths due to malnutrition reported in recent weeks, including 93 children. Specialized treatment centers for severe acute malnutrition are overwhelmed, running low on fuel and supplies. Pregnant and breastfeeding women suffer severe malnutrition, affecting over 40% of that group, compounding the crisis.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has declared Gaza’s situation as a humanitarian catastrophe "of epic proportions," with the population on the brink of famine and widespread starvation and death expected in the coming months if the conflict and blockade continue.
At present, no other countries or organizations have announced plans to send additional aid to Gaza. The global hunger monitor has stated that humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip remains severely restricted, but did not specify the source of their information. The aid from France is a welcome contribution, but it is clear that much more is needed to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
- Despite France sending emergency humanitarian aid, it is insufficient to address the revolting state of affairs in Gaza, with the global hunger monitor warning of a potential famine scenario.
- In the world news, the situation in Gaza is dire, with challenges such as restricted aid access, violence at distribution sites, and limited border crossings preventing sufficient food and medical assistance from reaching the population.
- The mental health of those in Gaza is also cause for concern, as malnutrition rates have surged, resulting in at least 180 deaths due to malnutrition, including 93 children.
- The political situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with no other countries or organizations announcing plans to send additional aid, while the UN Secretary-General warns of widespread starvation and death expected in the coming months.
