French President Emmanuel Macron issued a forceful condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza on Tuesday, directly criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for obstructing humanitarian aid and worsening the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.

In an interview with France’s TF1 television, Macron described the ongoing Israeli blockade as both “unacceptable” and “shameful,” pointing to the urgent need for access to water, medicine, and medical personnel for Palestinian civilians trapped in Gaza.

“What the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is doing is unacceptable... There is no water, no medicine, the wounded cannot get out, the doctors cannot get in. What he is doing is shameful,” Macron said, expressing deep frustration over the deteriorating conditions in the Strip.

The French president called for increased international pressure on Israel, specifically highlighting the role of the United States in influencing Israeli policy. “We need the United States. President (Donald) Trump has the levers. I have had tough words with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I got angry, but they (Israel) don't depend on us, they depend on American weapons,” he stated.

Macron also referenced his earlier visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, where he witnessed the barriers to aid delivery firsthand. “All the aid that France and other countries deliver is blocked by the Israelis,” he noted, underscoring the urgency of lifting restrictions on humanitarian convoys.

Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported growing concerns in Tel Aviv over possible European Union measures in response to Israel’s actions. The paper warned that a potential reassessment of the EU-Israel Association Agreement could lead to what it described as “an earthquake in relations.”

Macron’s remarks signal a rare public rift between a major European leader and the Israeli government, reflecting mounting international alarm over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza. (ILKHA)