In the heart of the geopolitical tensions of the Middle East, the meeting between the Egyptian presidents Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and French Emmanuel Macron, held in Cairo on Monday, marks a significant attempt to bring the positions on the crisis in Gaza closer. At first glance, this event seems to focus on calls for a ceasefire, but it also reflects a larger issue: the dynamics of regional alliances and the future of diplomacy in this area in the grip of historical conflicts.
### A situation always resentful
The words of Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, who underlines the link between sustainable peace in the Middle East and “the right regulations of the Palestinian issue”, recall a cruel reality that international actors cannot ignore. The war, in progress for 18 months, has already cost the lives of more than 50,000 Palestinians – a figure that exceeds the human losses of the many military interventions in the world, including those observed in recent decades in Iraq or Syria. This context of incessant violence raises questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic interventions and the commitment of Western powers to support real peace.
### Revised alliances
The meeting between Macron and El-Sissi is also part of a broader framework of recalibration of diplomatic relations. While the old colonial powers choose allies according to their contemporary geopolitical interests, it would be prudent to study how these relationships evolve in the face of new actors. Qatar, although belonging to the Gulf region, plays a key role as a mediator in the crisis, highlighting the emergence of new influence dynamics to the detriment of the old superpowers.
With the presence of Gulf monarchies that seek to assert their regional role, the question arises whether France, and the West in general, will really be able to register in this new reality. How to integrate actors like Qatar into discussions, knowing that their support for groups like Hamas is partly opportunistic, aimed at expanding their influence to the detriment of traditional partners?
### Humanitarian impact: an eloquent figure
An often neglected point in these discussions is the humanitarian dimension of violence in the region. Alarming figures for civilian victims in Gaza highlight the urgent need for a humanitarian response. According to reports, 24 between the 59 hostages held by Hamas are still alive, a fact that highlights the fears of a continuous escalation of violence and the degradation of living conditions. Indeed, while Israel resumed his offensives, he also paralyzed essential imports, condemning the two million Palestinians living in the enclave.
This situation has repercussions not only on local populations but also on regional stability. The already precarious economic situation of Palestine is exacerbated, causing waves of refugees which could not only destabilize neighboring countries, such as Lebanon, but also more distant regions.
### Diplomacy: what prospects?
The announcement by Macron of a visit to El-Arish to plead in favor of the return to the ceasefire deserves to be analyzed from a different angle. What concrete measures could be taken to guarantee that this cease-fire is not simply a temporary break, but rather a first step towards a lasting peace process? While some voices rise to establish humanitarian areas or evacuation corridors, others recommend more severe sanctions against the forces that compromise peace.
In the end, the future of the Middle East is not only based on negotiations between leaders, but also on a fundamental change in the way international relations are constructed and fed. A collaborative approach, involving both traditional leaders and less conventional mediators such as Qatar or other Arab nations, could offer a path to a more stable peace.
### Conclusion
The meeting between Macron and El-Sissi thus raises crucial questions about the ability of nations to find a lasting solution to a conflict that goes beyond simple diplomatic considerations. While these discussions continue, it becomes imperative to analyze not only the words exchanged, but also the actions that will follow, because the history of this glorious but tormented region depends on the will of the nations to overcome their own interests for the common good.