The move came as a ceasefire in Gaza officially took effect on Friday afternoon, following the Israeli cabinet’s approval of the deal after four days of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Alongside the return convoys, Egypt also launched a large-scale humanitarian aid convoy to deliver food, water, medical supplies, and fuel to Gaza’s residents suffering from famine.  

The aid aims to keep hospitals and essential services running after months of devastation.

Under the agreement, between 400 and 600 aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza each day, moving freely between the southern and northern areas of the Strip through the Salah al-Din and Al-Rashid roads.

Egypt has also intensified efforts to allow bulldozers and engineering equipment into Gaza to remove rubble and clear damaged roads, ensuring the continuous flow of humanitarian aid into the war-torn Palaestinian territory.

Since the ceasefire was reached, scenes of gratitude have filled Gaza’s streets, with residents waving Egyptian flags in appreciation of Cairo’s diplomatic and humanitarian role.

Many Palestinians have credited Egypt’s mediation for helping to achieve the ceasefire, facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, and firmly oppose any attempts at forced displacement.

Over the past two years of Israel’s war, Egypt has remained Gaza's primary lifeline, delivering more than 45,000 trucks to Gaza, carrying over 570,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, representing around 70 percent of all aid to the Strip.

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