ALBAWABA - Mediapart, a French investigative online newspaper, revealed in an investigation that in 2023 alone, French arms exports to Israel have amounted to €30 million.
The investigation revealed that the French government had turned a blind eye to the fact that Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, taking into account that France is part of the International Arms Trade Treaty.
The treaty aims to contribute to international and regional peace; reduce human suffering; and promote cooperation, however, France has not reduced or halted arms exports to Israel.
The French government claims that weapons delivered to Israel are being used in "defense strategies" without offering any evidence, although in 2023 France issued around 75 arms licenses for export to Israel for €176 million, compared to €34 million in 2022.
Despite political criticism of the Israeli brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip, arms exports continue, particularly in light of contradictions about (French-Israeli) dual nationality soldiers committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip, on which France has promised to respect the ruling and its decision if proven.
The investigation comes at a time when several countries announced partial or total suspension of arms exports to Israel, including the UK, Italy, Spain, and Canada.
David Lammy, Foreign Secretary of the UK, declared on Monday that 30 of the 350 active arms licenses to Israel will be suspended by London.
He referred to a two-month internal investigation that concluded that the Israeli army had failed in its obligation as the occupying force to secure the delivery of goods necessary for "the survival of the Gaza population".
Rights organizations have criticized the move as a temporary solution because it excludes parts manufactured in the UK for Israel's F35 advanced combat fighter jets.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" on an Israeli rave festival which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 40,861+ people, with more than 94,398+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
