France is currently in discussions with Egypt to establish a military medical facility capable of performing surgeries for those with serious injuries in the Gaza Strip, as announced by the French Defense Minister. Paris is set to host an international conference later this week to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported that its fighter jets have struck 450 targets associated with Hamas in Gaza, and that its forces took control of a complex used by activists in the past 24 hours. Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that the airstrikes have resulted in dozens of deaths.
According to Reuters, in an interview with the Lebanese newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour, French Defence and Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said, “There are also discussions with Egypt to provide French military health care on the ground, especially surgical operations for war injuries.” Egypt has prepared a field hospital in Sheikh Zuweid, just 15 kilometers from the Rafah crossing, to treat those evacuated from Gaza.
France has dispatched the helicopter carrier Tonnerre to the region, which President Emmanuel Macron stated is aimed at supporting hospitals in Gaza. However, military sources indicate that this carrier is not equipped to provide medical aid to those affected by the bombing in the besieged area. Nevertheless, the French military is currently equipping a second helicopter carrier with advanced medical facilities, set to sail to the region within the next ten days.
Lecornu noted, “The helicopter carrier Dixmude, which will be enhanced with medical capabilities, will soon be sent to the region to replace Tonnerre.” Diplomats mentioned that the conference to be held in Paris on November 9 will also explore the establishment of a maritime corridor for the shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but will also consider how ships can assist the wounded evacuated from Gaza
