PARIS – The French helicopter carrier Dixmude has arrived in Egypt and may begin treating injured children from Gaza later this week, announced Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Tuesday.
This move comes as Western powers aim to increase efforts to assist the enclave in the aftermath of the conflict.
The Dixmude is the first Western military ship to dock in Egypt since the conflict began and is stationed at al-Arish, 50 km (31 miles) west of Gaza, now a central hub for international aid.
The arrival of the ship coincides with a truce in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, providing an opportunity to deliver further aid to Gaza and establish procedures for evacuating wounded civilians.
Sebastien Lecornu stated in an interview with Europe 1 radio, “We have this ship, which has been transformed into a hospital and which arrived yesterday. It has 40 beds,” expressing his hope that it could begin receiving patients this week.
The Dixmude’s medical facilities have been adapted to form a military-civilian medical force, particularly in pediatrics.
With two operating theaters and 40 beds, it can treat individuals with minor injuries before transferring them to onshore hospitals.
Paris has made 50 beds available in France, if needed, for severely wounded and ill children in Gaza, including those with cancer.
Once treated on the Dixmude, the children will need to be moved to larger hospitals in Egypt or field hospitals in Gaza to accommodate more patients.
The ship carries 22 civilian doctors, including 16 surgeons and six pediatricians, according to French officials.
Egypt has expressed its willingness to integrate children into its medical system but has requested additional specialized equipment and financing from France.
Sebastien Lecornu mentioned that a team of seven French military officials is coordinating with Egyptian and Israeli authorities regarding the arrangements.
The necessary authorizations from Egypt and Israel will be required, along with background checks for adults accompanying children.
Italy has already dispatched a naval medical ship, and there are indications that Britain may soon deploy a ship converted for medical purposes.
