French President Emmanuel Macron issued a strong warning Friday that France could toughen its stance on Israel, including the possible imposition of sanctions against Israeli settlers, if humanitarian aid to Gaza continues to be obstructed.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Singapore with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Macron described the ongoing blockade of aid to Gaza as a growing humanitarian disaster. “The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,” he said.
“If there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position,” Macron stated, suggesting a potential escalation in France’s diplomatic response. “But I still hope that the government of Israel will change its stance and that we will finally have a humanitarian response.”
His comments come as Israel faces intensifying global criticism over its handling of humanitarian access to Gaza, where aid groups have warned of widespread famine and medical collapse following months of siege. Although Israel partially eased an 11-week blockade last week, the limited delivery of aid under the revised system has drawn sharp criticism for being inadequate.
Support for Two-State Solution and Palestinian State Recognition
Reaffirming France’s long-standing support for a two-state solution, Macron emphasized that the recognition of a Palestinian state is not merely a “moral duty” but also a “political necessity.” He added that France remains committed to facilitating a long-term political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to diplomats, Macron is leaning toward formally recognizing a Palestinian state, a decision that would mark a significant policy shift and could provoke tensions with Israel. French officials are said to be weighing this move ahead of a UN conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for June 17–20.
The aim of the conference is to define a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood while ensuring Israeli security — a balancing act that has long stymied international diplomacy.
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Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran dismissed his comments as “mixed signals” as the conflict approaches its seventh month.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 18 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in the field of science.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Azerbaijan has rejected France’s justification for advising its citizens against travel to the country, after Paris cited risks of arbitrary detention and unfair trials.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Baku ID 2026 has concluded in the Azerbaijani capital after two days that brought together technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers to explore the future of innovation and start-up development.
At least 16 people have been killed after suicide blasts during Friday prayers hit a police compound in Kohat, northwest Pakistan, officials said.
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