Egypt Sends Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Amid Ongoing Crisis
Dozens of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid set off from Egypt toward the Israeli crossing at Kerem Shalom on Friday, where Tel Aviv’s regime must approve their entry into Gaza, amid escalating concerns about severe hunger in the Strip, reports 24brussels.
This convoy, carrying a variety of food supplies—particularly flour—and medical equipment, marks the twenty-first shipment Egypt has sent to the Palestinian enclave since Israel resumed allowing aid deliveries at the end of July. The operation underscores the urgent need for relief as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deteriorates.
Footage from Egyptian TV channel Al QaheraNews, which has connections to the nation’s intelligence services, displayed a long line of trucks stacked with numerous covered boxes departing from near the Rafah crossing in northern Sinai towards the Israeli-controlled checkpoint. However, official Egyptian media did not specify the exact quantity or types of aid included but mentioned that it comprises “tons of products donated by Egyptian civil organizations with the support of the Egyptian Red Crescent, alongside contributions from multiple countries worldwide.”
Since July 27, Cairo has reported dispatching over 1,288 trucks filled with food and medicine to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, averaging 64 trucks daily. Nonetheless, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty labeled this volume as “absolutely insufficient,” attributing the limited passage to Israel’s restrictions.
Abdelaty stated that between 700 and 900 trucks need to enter Gaza daily to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis, which he described as “very complicated,” “catastrophic,” and a “humanitarian tragedy.” His remarks come as the situation has escalated significantly with the ongoing military conflict.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed “deep concern” regarding Israel’s continued military actions aimed at taking over urban areas in Gaza. These operations are seen as a renewed attempt to solidify Israel’s “illegal occupation of Palestinian territories,” constituting a blatant violation of international law.
Since the outbreak of the war in October 2023, over 62,000 individuals have died in Gaza, including numerous casualties over recent weeks among those seeking food aid. Additionally, many children have suffered from severe starvation. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, indicated that more than 15,600 people in Gaza—3,800 of whom are children—require urgent medical evacuation to obtain specialized treatment.
