RAFAH – Humanitarian aid trucks began entering through Al Awja and Karam Abu Salem border crossings as part of the “Zad Al Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza” convoy, delivering a range of relief supplies to the war-torn enclave.
According to an official source at Rafah Border Crossing in North Sinai, the convoy includes over twenty fuel trucks, in addition to dozens of trucks carrying medical supplies, marking a significant push to meet the critical needs of Gaza’s population.
The humanitarian corridor reopens amidst a backdrop of months-long blockade. Since March 2, Israeli forces had closed all crossings into Gaza following the conclusion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and the failure to establish a permanent truce. The truce was breached on March 18 with heavy aerial bombardment, followed by renewed ground incursions into areas Israel had previously withdrawn from.
During this period, Israeli authorities blocked the entry of fuel, humanitarian aid and shelter materials for displaced Palestinians. They also refused to allow in heavy machinery essential for debris removal and reconstruction efforts.
In May, limited humanitarian aid was permitted under a mechanism coordinated with a US private security firm, a move widely criticized by UN agencies, international relief organizations, and UNRWA, for violating established international humanitarian protocols.
Later, the Israeli military declared a temporary daily ceasefire starting July 27, 2025, allowing a 10-hour window to facilitate aid delivery into Gaza. Meanwhile, Egypt, Qatar and the US continued diplomatic efforts to broker a broader ceasefire and initiate a hostage and detainee exchange deal.
