[2] General Jean-Baptiste Kléber engaged in negotiations with both the British and Ottomans, with the aim of evacuating remaining French troops in Egypt in order to take part in operations in Europe.

The Convention of El Arish was concluded on 23 January 1800 allowing such a return to France, but it proved impossible to apply due to internal dissensions among British commanders and the dithering of Sultan Selim III, and so the conflict in Egypt restarted.

The left wing of the French was commanded by General Jean Reynier, with his division including the Joseph Lagrange and Antoine Joseph Robin brigades, and the right wing by General Louis Friant, with his division made up by the Augustin Daniel Belliard and François-Xavier Donzelot brigades.

Reynier's left wing struck directly against Mataria's Janissaries as Friant cut off their retreat route.

The Janissaries were defeated relatively quickly and the French began to move towards the main Ottoman forces in the direction of Heliopolis.

The position of the French was further strengthened with Kléber's recruitment of local auxiliaries and his alliance with his former enemy Murad Bey.