Al-Arish, North Sinai, Egypt – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron conducted a poignant visit to Al-Arish Hospital, where they examined the conditions of injured Palestinians evacuated from Gaza via the Rafah border crossing. The visit, broadcast by Extra News TV, underscored the escalating humanitarian crisis stemming from the ongoing conflict.
The leaders’ itinerary also included a tour of aid storage facilities designated for Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance. In line with this, the French presidency issued a statement indicating that President Macron would utilize the visit to advocate for the “reopening of crossing points for the delivery of humanitarian goods into Gaza.” This plea comes amidst reports that Israel, in early March, halted the entry of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel, into Gaza, following stalled truce negotiations.
President Macron’s visit coincided with a significant demonstration in Al-Arish, where thousands of Egyptian citizens gathered to vehemently condemn alleged US and Israeli plans to displace Palestinians from their homeland. The convergence of the presidential visit and the public rally amplified the international focus on the precarious situation facing Palestinians and the imperative for immediate humanitarian intervention.
The joint visit to Al-Arish Hospital and the aid facilities served as a powerful testament to the leaders’ commitment to addressing the immediate needs of the injured and displaced, while simultaneously emphasizing the critical necessity of ensuring unobstructed access for humanitarian aid into Gaza. The visit also highlighted the growing international concern regarding the potential displacement of Palestinians, a concern forcefully echoed by the Egyptian populace during their rally.
