Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Egyptian border city of Arish on April 8, aiming to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Their visit comes amid Israel’s ongoing blockade, which has sharply restricted the flow of aid into the besieged territory.
Arish, located roughly 50 kilometers west of Gaza, has become a key hub for medical relief and humanitarian coordination. During the visit, both leaders met with medical personnel and Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza, many of whom were seriously wounded or suffering from chronic conditions.
Macron: “The Situation is Intolerable”
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly criticized the humanitarian toll of Israel’s military operations, calling the situation in Gaza “intolerable.” He also condemned the Israeli attack that killed international aid workers and paramedics last month.
“We demand the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid,” Macron said, urging Israel to reopen the crossing points that remain closed under its expanding blockade. His office confirmed the visit was meant to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to allow essential supplies into Gaza.
Pushing for a Ceasefire, Again
Macron’s stop in Arish followed his participation in a Cairo summit, where he joined El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in a joint statement demanding a renewed ceasefire. The leaders emphasized that halting the military assault and reopening Gaza to aid are urgent steps to prevent a larger humanitarian catastrophe.
The previous truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed in March. Since then, Israel has stepped up its offensive, resulting in the displacement of more than 100,000 Palestinians in just 48 hours, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
From Aid to Diplomacy: Egypt and France Deepen Ties
Beyond the Gaza crisis, the visit marked a significant milestone in Egypt-France relations. Both countries signed several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), elevating their diplomatic engagement to the level of a “strategic partnership.”
Officials say the partnership will cover not only regional stability but also areas like infrastructure, education, and defense cooperation.
A Humanitarian Crisis with Global Attention
Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, and most of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced. The UN and humanitarian agencies have issued repeated warnings that famine, disease, and a collapse of essential services could follow if aid remains blocked.
There are growing concerns that the Israeli military is attempting to permanently depopulate parts of Gaza, while gaining control over vital water infrastructure and agricultural land — claims Israel has not officially addressed but which human rights groups continue to investigate.
Pressure Mounts on Israel to Lift Blockade
As the war stretches into its seventh month, Egypt and France are stepping up calls for the international community to intervene diplomatically. The urgency is compounded by widespread civilian suffering and an apparent strategy shift from temporary military occupation to long-term demographic control.
“An immediate halt to hostilities is not just a political goal — it is a moral and humanitarian imperative,” President El-Sisi said during the Cairo summit.
