File Photo: Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid await permission on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip, to enter the besieged Palestinians territory.
The convoy trucks are carrying hundreds of tonnes of medical equipment, relief materials and food supplies, including infant formula, flour, oil, sugar, and cheese.
The Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing has remained closed since 7 May 2024, when Israel seized control of it. Since then, no aid has entered through this vital route, with shipments redirected instead to the Karm Abu Salem crossing – one of Gaza’s five land crossings, all under Israeli control.
Despite Egypt’s efforts, convoys face chronic obstructions and delays as aid awaits Israeli 'inspection and clearance'. Large numbers of trucks remain stranded on the Egyptian side of Rafah, according to officials.
Last week, members of the Elders – the international peace advocacy group – visited ERC warehouses in Arish, where drivers recounted being turned back multiple times without explanation.
Since 27 July, Egypt has sent 15 aid convoys in a bid to stem the worsening famine conditions caused by Israel’s total blockade of the strip, which has killed 251 Palestinians, including 108 children.
On Wednesday and Thursday alone, Cairo dispatched the 14th and 15th convoys, delivering several hundred tonnes of food, medical supplies, and fuel.
ERC’s executive director, Amal Imam, said Egypt has sent 36,000 trucks with more than 500,000 tonnes of aid since the war began – 70 percent humanitarian supplies and 30 percent relief and medical goods.
The Egyptian armed forces have also conducted multiple aid airdrops to reach cut-off areas of Gaza.
In total, Egypt has delivered more than 70 percent of all aid that has entered Gaza since the start of Israel's war on the strip in October 2023: 45,125 trucks carrying 500,000 tonnes of food and medical supplies, including 368,000 tonnes provided by Egypt and 132,000 from other countries. Aid has also included 209 ambulances and 81,380 tonnes of fuel.
El-Arish airport has received more than 1,000 aircraft loaded with 27,247 tonnes of international aid, while the town’s port has handled 32 ships carrying 74,779 tonnes of relief materials. Egyptian hospitals have treated over 18,560 wounded Palestinians.
The Israeli war on Gaza, now in its 22nd month, has killed nearly 62,000 Palestinians – most of them women and children – and injured more than 153,000 others.
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