'Our army ready to enter Gaza': Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune vows swift action

President also pledges to build hospitals in Gaza within 20 days if border access is granted if Egypt permits entry

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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has vowed to send military and humanitarian aid to Gaza, contingent on Egypt opening its borders, Morocco World News reports.

This pledge intensifies Algeria’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, as Tebboune seeks to demonstrate his country's readiness to take direct action in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Constantine on August 18, ahead of the upcoming September 7 presidential election, Tebboune passionately reaffirmed Algeria's commitment to Gaza. "We swear by Allah, if they would help us and open the border between Egypt and Gaza, the army is ready (to enter Gaza)," Tebboune declared to an enthusiastic crowd in the eastern Algerian city.

Tebboune promised that should Egypt permit access, Algerian forces would be immediately dispatched to Gaza to assist in reconstruction efforts, including the swift establishment of medical facilities. "As soon as the borders are open and our trucks are allowed to enter, we will build three hospitals in 20 days, and we will send hundreds of doctors to help rebuild what the Zionists have destroyed," Tebboune stated, emphasising Algeria’s unwavering dedication to the Palestinian cause.

Since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza on October 7, Algeria has consistently expressed solidarity with the besieged enclave, viewing it as a symbol of resistance against colonialism and occupation. In May, the Algerian government took its advocacy to the international stage by submitting a resolution to the United Nations Security Council, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the violence in Rafah and across the Gaza Strip.

Although the resolution was blocked by the United States, Algeria remains steadfast in its efforts to champion Palestinian rights within the UN framework. Tebboune's rhetoric underscores Algeria's broader strategy to counter what it perceives as Israel's disproportionate use of force against the Palestinian population.

Algeria's support for Palestine is deeply rooted in its own historical experience with French colonialism. The North African nation, having endured a brutal war for independence from France, has long identified with liberation movements worldwide. During the 1960s, Algeria became a hub for revolutionary movements, providing sanctuary and support to groups fighting for independence across Africa and beyond, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).