France has regretted the failure of the draft resolution brought by Brazil to the UN Security Council on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

France voted for this draft resolution which was most likely to bring the Council together around common principles and which had the support of 12 countries, reads a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (Oct 18) in Paris. 

This text was unequivocally condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, demanding the release of the hostages, urging respect by all for international humanitarian law, humanitarian pauses and the urgent opening of full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to United Nations, ICRC and humanitarian organizations in Gaza to enable the provision of basic commodities to the civilian population.

The draft resolution was also recalling the perspective of two States, living side by side within secure and recognized borders, and was underlining the importance of increasing efforts to prevent escalation in the Middle East.

 France thanks Brazil for its initiative and its coordinating role. France will remain mobilized with its partners to respond to the humanitarian emergency and avoid a regional conflagration. It has already mobilized 10 million euros in additional humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza.

 In addition to the statement, France said it would like to make the following points:

 Through this draft resolution, supported by France, the Security Council could have decided to: on the political side: strongly condemn violence and hostilities against civilians and all acts of terrorism; unequivocally condemn and reject Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel; call for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages who must be treated humanely; reiterate the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders; recall that the lasting settlement of the conflict must be achieved by peaceful means on the basis of Security Council resolutions; call for increased efforts to prevent escalation in the region and asks all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

On the humanitarian side: it urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including in the conduct of hostilities; urge protection of civilian populations and infrastructure; urge that a continuous, sufficient and unhindered supply (food, water, electricity, fuel, medicine) for civilian populations be ensured; call for the cancellation of the “order” to evacuate northern Gaza for relocating to southern Gaza; call for humanitarian pauses to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, including UN agencies, the ICRC and other impartial humanitarian organizations as well as the establishment of humanitarian corridors; emphasize the importance of a reporting mechanism for UN humanitarian activities; call for the protection of humanitarian personnel and medical personnel and infrastructure.