Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Red Crescent
The convoy, comprising multiple trucks, was dispatched in the early morning, carrying food parcels, flour, medical supplies, and fuel for operating hospitals and other vital facilities within Gaza.
It also included essential non-food items such as clothing, blankets, tarpaulins, and tents to support displaced Palestinians, the ERC said.
The dispatch forms part of Egypt’s ongoing humanitarian response to the war in Gaza, with the ERC serving as the national mechanism for coordinating aid deliveries to the strip.
The organization has maintained a constant presence at the border since the start of the Gaza crisis, stressing that the Rafah crossing has remained open from the Egyptian side.
The ERC has delivered more than 950,000 tons to the strip so far, with support from over 65,000 volunteers.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces on Saturday intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, detaining scores of activists and diverting them to Greece and Israel, in an incident that has intensified international scrutiny of the blockade on the territory.
The flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels that departed from ports in France, Spain, and Italy, was attempting to reach Gaza when Israeli forces boarded at least 20 boats overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, about 80 miles west of Crete, according to organizers and Israeli officials.
Israel’s foreign ministry said around 175 activists were detained, while the flotilla organizers put the figure at more than 200.
Greek authorities said 31 activists were taken to the hospital on Crete, while Turkish officials confirmed that around 60 were flown to Istanbul following their release. Organizers said at least 36 people required medical treatment.
Activists and organizers accused Israeli forces of using excessive force during the interception, saying that detainees were beaten, restrained, and denied food and water for extended periods. Some reported injuries, including broken ribs and head trauma, while independent media outlets cited similar accounts. Israel has not publicly confirmed those reports.
Two activists were reported to remain in custody and were transferred to Israel, prompting condemnation from several countries, including Spain, Brazil, and Turkey, which described the interception as a violation of international law. Several Western governments have also called for the release of detained nationals.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly accused Israel of severely restricting the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies into the territory, contributing to a deepening humanitarian crisis since the start of its genocidal war on the Palestinian strip in October 2023.
The latest flotilla follows a similar attempt in 2025 that was also intercepted by Israeli forces before reaching Gaza, with activists detained and later deported.
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