PARIS: A French warship arrived in Egypt to treat injured from the Gaza Strip has received its first injured patients, a French minister on Tuesday said.
The Dixmude arrived in the Egyptian town of El-Arish on Monday near the border with Gaza and on Tuesday received the patients, said Sebastien Lecornu, France’s army minister.
He added the ship is equipped with two operating rooms, 40 beds and 80 medical personnel.
The development comes as exchange of Israel captives and Palestinians detainees continued for the fifth day after the truce between the two sides extended.
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According to the United Nations, hundreds of critically injured Palestinians have crossed into Egypt in recent weeks with special exit permits, after the majority of hospitals in Gaza were forced out of service due to Israeli bombardment.
Since October 7, Israel’s extensive bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza have drawn international concern. The Gaza government reported nearly 15,000 Palestinian casualties, with a majority being women and children.
The Israeli air and ground strikes have also caused extensive damage to buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches.
The dire situation in Gaza is compounded by an Israeli blockade, severing the region from essential supplies such as fuel, electricity, and water. Aid deliveries to Gaza have also reached to a minimum.
