Egypt Daily News – The Governor of North Sinai, Major General Dr. Khaled Megawir, described the visit of President Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron to Al-Arish as an “unprecedented historical event,” emphasizing that it carries deep political and economic significance. This was stated during his intervention on “Cairo News” channel.
Unprecedented Popular Reception
The governor revealed the unprecedented interaction of the people of Sinai with the visit, saying: “No one slept in the governorate on the night of the visit due to the immense joy.” He also pointed out that citizens volunteered to participate in decoration and reception activities. He added, “This is the first visit of a European president to Sinai in modern history.”
Macron Visits Al-Arish Hospital and is Moved by the Suffering of Palestinians
Megawir explained that the French president closely observed Egypt’s efforts at the Al-Arish General Hospital, where he toured the treatment sections dedicated to Palestinian casualties and listened to moving testimonies about their suffering since the outbreak of the crisis. He also praised the Egyptian medical efforts and the humanitarian atmosphere.
Political and Diplomatic Messages
The governor highlighted the significance of the visit, which reaffirms the depth of the Egyptian-French partnership, emphasizes Egypt’s regional role in managing crises, and reflects the international consensus against one-sided solutions to the Palestinian crisis.
President Sisi and Macron confirm from Al-Arish the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and their firm rejection of displacement.
Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, spokesperson for the Presidency, stated that this visit comes to confirm France’s solidarity with Egypt’s significant efforts in receiving and caring for the injured Palestinian citizens due to the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. The visit included Presidents Sisi and Macron inspecting Al-Arish Hospital and meeting with several Palestinian casualties, particularly women and children, as well as visiting the Egyptian Red Crescent’s logistics center designated for gathering humanitarian aid from Egypt and other countries directed to the Gaza Strip.
The spokesperson clarified that Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, presented to both the Egyptian President and the French President during their visit to Al-Arish General Hospital the efforts made by the Egyptian state to provide healthcare and necessary treatment for Palestinian casualties coming from Gaza.
Furthermore, 300 hospitals across 26 governorates in Egypt received Palestinian patients, while 176 hospitals in 24 governorates currently house injured Palestinians, with accommodations and sustenance provided for all their companions.
The Minister of Health added that the total cost of medical services provided by Egypt amounted to about 578 million dollars, and it is expected to reach 1 billion dollars, especially with the state bearing the costs of sustenance, hosting, and accommodation.
He also pointed out that the value of in-kind assistance Egypt has received from other countries represents only 10% of the total cost incurred since the crisis began. The Minister of Health also mentioned that the Ministry of Health has allocated 38,000 doctors and 25,000 nurses across various specialties to handle medical cases, in addition to providing necessary treatment for chronic conditions for those coming from Gaza. He clarified that the President tasked the government, particularly the Ministry of Health, from the beginning of the crisis to take all necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian brothers.
The spokesperson confirmed that the President emphasized Egypt’s firm stance, both leadership and people, in supporting the Palestinian brothers. He pointed out that Egypt is making strenuous efforts and intensive diplomatic endeavors to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to work on delivering necessary humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip, in order to preserve the lives of innocent civilians and protect the Palestinian people from the consequences of the aggression. The President also thanked the French side for the support it is providing to help deliver necessary medical care to Palestinian casualties.
He added that the two Presidents emphasized during the visit the necessity of an immediate ceasefire and the importance of expediting the delivery of humanitarian aid while ensuring the protection of civilians and relief workers, stressing their firm rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land.
President Sisi expresses his gratitude to his French counterpart for the support in providing medical care to Palestinian casualties
President Sisi expressed his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for the support provided in delivering necessary medical care to Palestinian casualties. This occurred during the visit of both President Sisi and President Macron to the city of Al-Arish on Tuesday, as part of the high-level official visit of the French President to Egypt.
The spokesperson for the Presidency, stated that the visit aims to reaffirm France’s solidarity with Egypt’s significant efforts in receiving and caring for Palestinian casualties due to the brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza. The visit included a tour of Al-Arish Hospital by both Presidents Sisi and Macron and a meeting with several Palestinian casualties, particularly women and children, as well as a visit to the Egyptian Red Crescent’s logistics center, which is designated for gathering humanitarian aid from Egypt and other countries directed to Gaza.
The spokesperson clarified that Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, presented to both presidents during their visit to Al-Arish General Hospital the efforts of the Egyptian state in providing healthcare and necessary treatment for Palestinian casualties coming from Gaza. He mentioned that Egypt has received about 107,000 Palestinians, who underwent necessary medical examinations.
Additionally, 27,000 Palestinian children were vaccinated. Egyptian hospitals have treated over 8,000 Palestinians suffering from various injuries, along with 16,000 companions. More than 5,160 surgeries were performed, and 300 hospitals across 26 Egyptian governorates received Palestinian patients, while 176 hospitals in 24 governorates are currently treating Palestinian casualties, with accommodations and sustenance provided for all their companions.
Regarding the efforts of Egyptian ambulances, 150 ambulances have been allocated in North Sinai to receive cases arriving through the crossing from the Palestinian Red Crescent and distribute them to Egyptian hospitals with the participation of 750 paramedics and drivers.
The Minister of Health also stated that the total cost of the medical services Egypt has provided amounts to approximately 578 million dollars and is expected to reach 1 billion dollars, especially with the state bearing the costs of sustenance, hosting, and accommodation. It should be noted that the in-kind assistance Egypt has received from other countries represents only 10% of the total cost incurred since the beginning of the crisis.
The Minister further explained that the Ministry of Health has allocated 38,000 doctors and 25,000 nurses across various specialties to handle medical cases, in addition to providing necessary treatment for chronic conditions for those coming from Gaza. He clarified that the President has tasked the government, particularly the Ministry of Health, with taking all necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian brothers from the beginning of the crisis.
The official spokesperson emphasized that the President reaffirmed Egypt’s firm stance, both leadership and people, in supporting the Palestinian brothers. He pointed out that Egypt is making strenuous efforts and intensive diplomatic endeavors to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to work on delivering necessary humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip, aiming to preserve innocent lives and protect the Palestinian people from the consequences of the aggression.
Macron condemns the targeting of humanitarian and relief teams in Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned on Tuesday the targeting of relief teams and humanitarian workers in Gaza, following the martyrdom of 15 paramedics in Rafah, southern Gaza, by Israeli fire two weeks ago.
Macron stated during his visit to Al-Arish: “We strongly condemn these attacks, and the full truth must be revealed” regarding what happened to the paramedics, according to Agence France-Presse.
President Sisi and his French counterpart, Macron, had arrived at Al-Arish Hospital to inspect the situation and assess the condition of the injured Palestinians who entered Egypt during the first phase of the ceasefire after the cessation of hostilities.
Egypt had received nearly 2,672 injured individuals from Gaza, along with their companions.
President Sisi greets the crowd at the event rejecting the displacement of Palestinians in Al-Arish
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi greeted the crowds gathered in front of Al-Arish Airport to reject the displacement of Palestinians as his convoy passed by, accompanied by his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron. The convoy had just departed from Al-Arish International Airport heading toward Al-Arish General Hospital. President Sisi waved to the citizens who lined the sides of the road during the event protesting the plans to displace Palestinians.
The president’s convoy slowed down to allow him to greet the crowds. Citizens chanted slogans such as “With our souls and blood, we sacrifice for you, Sisi” and “With our souls and blood, we sacrifice for you, Egypt.”
President Sisi and President Macron arrived in Al-Arish, where their visit included inspecting Al-Arish General Hospital, Al-Arish Seaport, and the warehouses for humanitarian aid directed to the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, crowds of citizens gathered in Rafah to protest the plans to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
President Sisi bids farewell to President Macron from Al-Arish after the conclusion of his official visit to Egypt
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made sure to bid farewell to his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, who concluded his three-day official visit to Egypt. During his visit, Macron toured several historical and archaeological landmarks before heading to Al-Arish on Tuesday to deliver a message of solidarity with Egypt against displacement plans.
President Sisi and President Macron arrived in Al-Arish, located about 50 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, where they inspected humanitarian and security efforts and met with staff from French NGOs, the United Nations, and the Egyptian Red Crescent. Macron expressed his gratitude to President Sisi and the Egyptian people for their warm reception and hospitality. His visit to Egypt featured a busy and intense schedule, with Rafale jets escorting his presidential plane as it entered Egyptian airspace, welcoming the esteemed guest to Egypt.
