France demands full investigation as French institute in Gaza attacked by Israel

France has demanded a full investigation after a French institute in Gaza was hit by the Israeli strike, describing the attack as ‘incomprehensible.

Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said this during his visit to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The French official noted that it is a duty by the Israeli government to respect international humanitarian law despite its right to defend itself.

“We made public today that the French Cultural Institute in Gaza was hit a few days ago in a way that caused astonishment, incomprehension and which led France to call for explanations from the Israeli authorities.

“[We seek] to understand how a French cultural institute can be the target of an Israeli strike. We are therefore in dialogue with our Israeli partners at different levels,” she said.

She highlighted the need to protect civilian populations and take concrete measures to protect civilian populations.

A UN official earlier warned that “there is no place that is safe in Gaza right now”, with many of the UN buildings sheltering displaced people “impacted” by the conflict.

Israel has been bombing Gaza after Hamas killed about 1,400 people in Israel and dozens of others hostage.

The health ministry in the besieged enclave says more than 9,000 people have been killed in the Strip since 7 October.