A statement from the Elysée Palace read: "The President of the Republic received French non-governmental organizations who are active and mobilised Gaza.

 

"They made him aware of the gravity of the situation, the magnitude of the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian civilian population and the difficulty of getting humanitarian access to victims."

 

Hollande then announced that he would release €11 million in financial and humanitarian support "to meet the emergency" situation.

 

"This emergency assistance is part of an ongoing commitment of France alongside the Palestinian Authority," the statement added.

 

An advisor to Holland said the humanitarian aid, eight million of which will be given to the Palestinian Authority and the remainder to UN bodies and NGOs working in Gaza, was approved after a meeting with non-governmental organisations working in the strife-torn region.

 

France has been under pressure in recent weeks to do more to help Palestinians affected by the bombings of Gaza.

 

During Wednesday's pro-Palestinian march in Paris, many protesters criticised and Gollande and his government for not taking a hard enough stance against Israel.

 

"I voted for Hollande and I would never expect this stance from a Socialist government. By not standing up to Israel he is legitimising the massacre of Palestinians," protester Mina McCamery told The Local.