French FM condemns ‘despicable, unbearable’ images of emaciated hostages

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot rails against the “despicable, unbearable” images of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and other Gazan terror groups, and demands their unconditional release.

“Their ordeal must end,” he writes on X in both French and Hebrew. “They must be released, unconditionally.”

“Hamas must be disarmed and excluded from governing Gaza,” he says, adding that, at the same time, humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter the war-torn enclave “on a massive scale.”

Images ignobles, insupportables, des otages israéliens détenus depuis 666 jours à Gaza par le Hamas. Leur calvaire doit cesser. Ils doivent être libérés, sans condition. Le Hamas doit être désarmé et exclu de la gouvernance de Gaza. L’aide humanitaire doit y entrer massivement.

— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) August 2, 2025