
French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu (C) is welcomed upon his arrival at Egypt al-Arish Airport on December 31, 2023, ahead of a visit to the French ship Dixmude that is docked there. Photo: AFP
During a press conference held aboard the French medical ship ‘Dixmude,’ docked at Al-Arish Port, Lecornu stated that Paris is committed to achieving stability in Gaza, with the support of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
He also added French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized in his calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian truces.
“We promised the Egyptian President to continue providing aid to the Gaza Strip,” he said, adding that Paris has so far sent 200 tons of aid and is preparing 800 more.
Brigadier General Jacques Mallard, commander of the French medical ship, said in media statements that the Dixmude is a Mistral-class floating hospital with a capacity of 40 beds, 25 inpatient beds, 15 intermediate care beds, 5 pediatric beds, and 2 operating rooms equipped with 20 French doctors and two helicopters.
Mallard added that the ship arrived on 28 November and received 90 Palestinians for treatment that same day. The floating hospital has conducted 230 surgical operations in Al-Arish. The commander expressed his gratitude for Egypt's support throughout the entire French operation.
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