Gaza Crisis: France’s Macron, Egypt’s Sisi hold talks

French President Emmanuel Macron began a visit to Egypt on Sunday, holding talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi focused on the ongoing war in Gaza.

Macron, Sisi, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II are scheduled to meet on Monday for a summit as Israel intensifies its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

On Tuesday, Macron will travel to the Egyptian port city of El-Arish, located near Gaza, to draw attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

Upon his arrival in Cairo for the 48-hour visit, Macron joined Sisi for dinner in a traditional market in the Egyptian capital. He also visited the Grand Egyptian Museum, set to officially open on July 3, which will showcase 100,000 historic artefacts.

Macron and Sisi will hold a formal meeting on Monday morning ahead of their summit with King Abdullah II. The French presidency said, “The situation in Gaza will be widely discussed,” highlighting the key roles Egypt and Jordan play in efforts to end the conflict.

France’s Macron, Egypt’s Sisi Hold Talks on Gaza Crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi/ France24
Egypt, alongside Qatar and the United States, has been a leading mediator in negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Washington has urged Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinian refugees fleeing the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Since the collapse of a brief truce with Hamas on March 18, Israel has intensified its ground operations in Gaza, describing its strategy as aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages still held in the enclave. At the same time, Israel has expanded its military strikes into Lebanon and Syria.

El-Arish, located about 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Gaza, has become a vital hub for international aid destined for the besieged territory. Macron is expected to meet with humanitarian and security personnel there, as part of what his office described as his “constant mobilisation in favour of a ceasefire.”

Most humanitarian aid previously entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, but Israel has kept it closed since early March.