Macron Meets Egypt's Leader for Gaza Talks

On Monday, Macron, Sisi, and Jordan's King Abdullah II will hold a summit to address the escalating conflict, while Macron is scheduled to visit the Egyptian port of El-Arish on Tuesday to draw attention to Gaza's dire humanitarian situation.

Upon his arrival in Cairo, Macron and Sisi held a dinner in a Cairo souk, followed by a private visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to open on July 3 with a display of 100,000 historical artefacts.

On Monday morning, the two leaders will meet for a formal discussion before joining King Abdullah for the summit. According to the French presidency, Gaza will be a central topic during the meetings, underscoring the significant role of Egypt and Jordan in efforts to end the conflict.

Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been actively mediating between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. has also urged Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

Since the collapse of a short-lived truce on March 18, Israel has intensified its campaign to capture Gazan territory, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Meanwhile, Israel's attacks have expanded to Lebanon and Syria.

The port of El-Arish, located just 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Gaza, has served as a vital entry point for international aid, especially since Israel suspended access to the Rafah crossing in early March. Macron plans to meet with humanitarian and security workers in El-Arish, reinforcing his commitment to advocating for a ceasefire.