Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has dispatched a major humanitarian aid convoy to the Gaza Strip, delivering 2,300 tonnes of essential supplies to support the nearly two million Palestinians living under siege in the enclave.
The aid, coordinated by the Egyptian Red Crescent, included 2,200 food baskets, large quantities of flour, medicines, baby milk, fuel, and personal care items. The shipment is part of the “Zad Al-Izza: From Egypt to Gaza” initiative, launched on July 27, which has become one of Egypt’s most comprehensive relief efforts since the outbreak of the conflict.
The convoy entered Gaza through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, located in the southeastern corner of the territory and controlled by Israeli forces. Despite the crossing’s limitations, it has recently become the primary entry point for Egyptian aid into Gaza after the main Rafah crossing was rendered largely inoperable.
The Rafah terminal controlled by Egypt on its side has historically been a critical lifeline for humanitarian assistance. However, in May 2024, Israeli military operations in Rafah destroyed large parts of the city and damaged the crossing infrastructure, severely disrupting the flow of aid.
According to the Egyptian Red Crescent, more than 36,000 aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the war began in 2023, delivering nearly half a million tonnes of humanitarian supplies. These operations have been supported by over 35,000 Egyptian volunteers working in coordination with international and regional partners.
While the Rafah crossing technically remains open on the Egyptian side, Israeli restrictions have largely halted its function as a conduit for aid. Most assistance is now funneled through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing under stringent Israeli supervision, significantly limiting the volume and speed of aid delivery.
The latest Egyptian convoy underscores Cairo’s continued commitment to alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and highlights growing regional concerns over the prolonged siege, displacement, and infrastructure collapse in the territory.
