France drops 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid over Gaza, warns of famine and urges Israel to open aid routes

In a major humanitarian gesture, France on Friday carried out an emergency airdrop of 40 tonnes of food aid into the Gaza Strip, as the region faces what French officials describe as an "absolute urgency" due to growing famine conditions.

Faced with an urgent humanitarian crisis, we just conducted a food airdrop over Gaza.

I thank our Jordanian, Emirati, and German partners for their support, as well as our armed forces for their dedication.

But airdrops are not enough.... pic.twitter.com/KpWFhOLmbi

- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 1, 2025

The French government confirmed that four military aircraft from Jordan were used to deliver the supplies, working in coordination with international partners and the Jordanian army. The operation comes as aid agencies continue to report severe malnutrition among Gaza's population, especially children under five.

France has been part of a European-led airlift since October 2023, contributing to over 3,000 tonnes of aid transported to the region. However, much of the assistance remains undelivered due to limited access and restrictions on land and maritime routes imposed by Israel.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that while airdrops serve an immediate purpose, they are not a long-term solution.

"The most effective way to deliver humanitarian aid remains ground access. Without safe and unimpeded entry, famine will continue to spread," he said.

The United Nations and World Health Organization have repeatedly warned that Gaza is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, with famine-like conditions already documented in many areas. Reports suggest that dozens of children have died from hunger or related complications in recent weeks.

International pressure is mounting on Israel to facilitate sustained aid access. Aid groups argue that airdrops, while symbolically significant, are logistically limited and often reach only a small portion of those in need.

France's airdrop underscores the urgency of the crisis and the growing international frustration over blocked aid efforts. As the situation worsens, calls are intensifying for a ceasefire and the full opening of humanitarian corridors to prevent further loss of life.