France sends aircraft carrier Dixmude to Egypt due to "too many victims"
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stressed the "absolute necessity of distinguishing between terrorists and the population". As reported by the Elysée Palace, he also mentioned the excessive number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. Subsequently, the aircraft carrier Dixmude dispatched from France is now on its way to Egypt. Its mission is to provide assistance to the injured children in Gaza.
3:37 PM EST, November 20, 2023
The situation in Gaza is extraordinary and demands that humanitarian aid be delivered as quickly and safely as possible. In his words, Macron wrote, "We must obtain an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, leading to a cessation of hostilities."
French aircraft carrier en route to Egypt
President Macron announced the charter of a new Air Force plane earlier this week for transporting over 22,046 pounds of medical cargo.
The aircraft carrier Dixmude is scheduled to land off the coast of Egypt in a few days.
"We have dedicated this ship to treat the most serious cases, particularly children from the Gaza Strip who need urgent medical attention. France is mobilizing all available resources," Macron added.
Dixmude: a floating hospital for Palestinian children
The carrier has the capability to evacuate those injured, primarily children, from the border of the Gaza Strip. The wounded will be transported to the ship where medical assistance can be provided. The ship is equipped with two operating rooms, 40 patient beds, an X-ray machine, and a laboratory.
During his Sunday discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Macron stressed the "absolute necessity of distinguishing terrorists from the population". He expressed concern over the high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, reported the Elysée Palace.
Alarming casualty toll in the Gaza Strip
Macron emphasized the "importance of implementing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire leading to a cessation of hostilities." He also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. In which, he condemned the violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, as reported by the presidential palace.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health reports that over 13,000 people, including thousands of children, have died since the outbreak of the war. However, Israeli authorities challenge this death toll published by the health department of the region.
