Rafah: The 144th convoy of humanitarian aid trucks began entering the Gaza Strip for Palestinians on Monday, February 23, 2026, through the secondary gate of Rafah Border Crossing heading toward the Karem Abu Salem and Al-Awja crossings in preparation for delivery into the enclave.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the trucks, part of the 'Zad Al-Ezza. From Egypt to Gaza' convoy, set off on Monday morning from outside Rafah Port toward the Karem Abu Salem crossing in southeastern Gaza. The trucks are undergoing inspection by Israeli authorities at Karem Abu Salem before entering the strip, the source added.

The convoy is carrying large quantities of food and relief supplies, including food parcels, flour, fresh bread, legumes, canned goods, medicines, personal care items, tents, and petroleum products.

Israeli forces closed crossings linking the Gaza Strip on March 2, 2025, after the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement expired without a deal to consolidate the truce. The ceasefire was breached by heavy air strikes on March 18, 2025, followed by renewed ground incursions into areas of Gaza from which Israeli forces had previously withdrawn.

Israeli troops also barred the entry of humanitarian aid trucks, fuel, and shelter materials for displaced people who lost their homes in the war and refused to allow heavy equipment needed for debris removal and reconstruction into Gaza.

Aid deliveries resumed in May 2025 under a mechanism implemented by Israeli authorities and a US security company, despite objections from UNRWA, which said the arrangement violated established international procedures.

The Israeli military announced a 10-hour 'temporary truce' on Sunday, July 27, 2025, suspending military operations in parts of Gaza to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the US continued efforts to secure a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in Gaza and an exchange of prisoners and detainees. In the early hours of Oct. 9, 2025, Hamas and Israel reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire plan under a proposal by US President Donald Trump in Sharm el-Sheikh, with Egyptian, Qatari, US, and Turkish mediation.

The second phase of the agreement entered into force on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, after the completion of prisoner and detainee exchanges and the handover of the remains of the last Israeli captive under the first phase. Palestinians were subsequently allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, and the wounded were permitted to leave for treatment in Egyptian hospitals after the Palestinian side of the Rafah Border Crossing was reopened.