France seeks explanation from Israel about targeting of culture institute in Gaza

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – France on Friday requested explanations from Israel about the targeting of the French culture institute in Gaza.

“We were informed by Israeli authorities that the French Institute in Gaza was hit by an Israeli air strike,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We have asked the Israeli authorities to inform us without delay of the fact-based criteria that resulted in that decision,” the statement read.

The ministry added that no employee of the institute, nor any French nationals were on the institute's grounds at the time.

In a previous statement, the ministry also expressed its "deep concern" over the numbers of civilian casualties in Gaza, and the "dire humanitarian situation."

France condemned "the attacks on UN sites and humanitarian personnel, whose work is vital to civilians in Gaza, as well as attacks on media headquarters."

The statement recalled that protecting civilians is an international obligation, and called for a "humanitarian truce."

Meanwhile, the French news agency AFP announced on X that its office was "gravely damaged" during the bombings on Thursday in Gaza, a "territory bombarded continuously by the Israeli army."

The agency added that none of its employees or permanent collaborators were there at that moment.

“The AFP condemns with the utmost firmness the strike on its Gaza City office," Director-General Fabrice Fries said, according to the post. "The location (of the bureau) was known by everyone and was reminded multiple times in the recent days..."

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 10,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.