French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Egypt on Sunday for a three-day diplomatic mission focused on the intensifying Gaza conflict, as Israel continues its offensive in the enclave following the collapse of a brief ceasefire with Hamas. Macron was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, where the two leaders held talks ahead of a trilateral summit on Monday with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The summit aims to coordinate efforts toward a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and a political solution to the Gaza war, which has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
During a joint press appearance, Macron and al-Sisi condemned Israel’s military escalation and stressed the urgent need for a sustainable peace agreement. Both leaders reiterated calls for unhindered humanitarian access, a halt to civilian casualties, and the revival of the two-state solution framework. Macron is also scheduled to travel to el-Arish, a key logistics hub near the Gaza border, where he will meet with French and international aid workers. The city has played a vital role in facilitating the limited flow of humanitarian supplies into Gaza via the Rafah border crossing.
Israel, meanwhile, maintains that its military operations are necessary to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, in which over 1,200 Israelis were killed and hundreds kidnapped. The Israeli government continues to face international criticism over the scale of civilian casualties and the humanitarian toll. While the visit is dominated by diplomatic urgency, Macron and al-Sisi briefly shifted focus on Sunday, touring Cairo’s historic Khan el-Khalili market. Surrounded by tight security, the two leaders engaged with vendors and locals, drawing cheers from bystanders.
Macron also visited the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids. Set to open in July 2025, the museum will showcase more than 100,000 ancient artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. This marks Macron’s second visit to the region since October, reinforcing France’s effort to play a more active role in mediating the conflict and supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
