French President Emmanuel Macron (L), Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C) and Dr Amal Emam, CEO of the Egyptian Red Crescent (4th L), visit Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses storing aid for Gaza, in the Egyptian border town of El-Arish. AFP
During a visit to El-Arish Hospital, near the Gaza border, where they met injured Palestinians receiving treatment, both leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and swift humanitarian aid delivery.
They also urged the protection of civilians and aid workers, according to an Egyptian presidency statement.
Israel cut off aid to Gaza in early March, taking advantage of an impasse in negotiations to extend a truce with Hamas. Later in March, after a two-month truce, Israel resumed intense bombardment across Gaza and restarted ground operations.
President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, underlining the country’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive the Gaza ceasefire and ensure the aid delivery.
El-Sisi also thanked France for its role in helping provide medical care to the wounded.
Speaking to the French media, Macron said his visit aimed to deliver a message that France's "full mobilization" for Gaza ceasefire, civilian protection, and humanitarian aid.
The French president described the situation as “dramatic” after he met with French NGOs, United Nations officials, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and Palestinian beneficiaries of the aid in El-Arish.
“The crossing points must be reopened to allow the arrival of humanitarian supplies. France will continue to support the people of Gaza and to call for the release of the hostages," he said.
El-Sisi and Macron arrived in the North Sinai city of El-Arish on the Egypt-Gaza border to inspect key humanitarian sites critical to Gaza relief operations earlier Tuesday.
Earlier today, the two presidents toured the Egyptian Red Crescent’s logistics centre, a transit point for international aid intended for Gaza.
The Egyptian presidency said Macron’s visit underscores France’s solidarity with Egypt’s significant efforts in receiving and caring for Palestinians injured in the brutal Israeli aggression on the strip.
Over half a billion dollars in medical services
During the hospital visit, Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said that the total cost of medical services provided by Egypt has reached approximately $578 million and may rise to $1 billion, with only 10 percent covered by international in-kind aid.
He reported that Egypt has received around 107,000 Palestinians, administered vaccinations to 27,000 children, and treated over 8,000 wounded individuals, accompanied by 16,000 caretakers.
The minister also noted that 38,000 doctors and 25,000 nurses across various specialities have been assigned to treat patients from Gaza, including those with chronic illnesses.
The Egyptian medical teams have performed over 5,160 surgical operations for sick and injured Palestinians at 300 hospitals across 26 governorates, he noted.
Currently, 176 hospitals in 24 governorates are caring for the wounded, with full accommodation and support provided for accompanying individuals, Abdel-Ghaffar clarified.
Egypt has also deployed 150 ambulances in North Sinai to receive patients at the border, with the involvement of 750 medics and drivers.
He emphasized that President El-Sisi had instructed the government early in the crisis to take all necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Macron’s trip to Arish, the first ever by a European president to North Sinai, is part of a three-day diplomatic visit to Egypt aimed at bolstering Gaza relief operations and affirming opposition to the displacement of Palestinians.
On Monday, during a Cairo summit, El-Sisi, Macron, and King Abdullah II of Jordan called for an "immediate return" to the ceasefire.
Israel has killed at least 1,391 Palestinians since it resumed its genocidal war on the strip on 18 March, raising the overall Palestinian death toll since 7 October 2023 to 50,752, mostly women and children.
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