Death of two young French nationals in the Gaza Strip (31 October 2023)

France was saddened to learn of the death of two French children who were in the northern Gaza Strip with their French mother. She herself was wounded, as was her third child.

France’s Consulate General in Jerusalem has not, however, managed to make direct contact with this French citizen on the ground. We are therefore unable at this point to ascertain this family’s situation. We are continuing our efforts to try and reach this French citizen and to provide her and her family with help and support, to the best of our ability.

We urgently ask that all foreign nationals, and our compatriots in particular, be allowed to leave Gaza. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is doing everything we can in this regard. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem is in constant contact with our citizens, our employees and their families in Gaza.

France reiterates its urgent call for a humanitarian truce to enable humanitarian aid to reach those who need it. Humanitarian access must be continuous, swift, secure and unhindered, in order to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza on a long-term basis.