Rafah: Trucks of the 44th humanitarian aid convoy - under "Zad al-Ezzah.. from Egypt to Gaza" initiative - departed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from Egypt's Rafah border crossing towards Karm Abou Salem Crossing, southeast of the Gaza Strip. The convoy includes dozens of trucks carrying essential food supplies, medicines and medical equipment, along with various relief items to meet civilians' urgent needs. The convoy also comprises three fuel trucks.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the initiative comes as part of Egypt's continued efforts to support Palestinian people and alleviate their humanitarian suffering amid Israel's ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip. Crossings connecting Gaza have been closed by Israeli forces since March 2, following the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the failure to reach a deal to consolidate the truce. The ceasefire was violated on March 18 with heavy airstrikes, followed by renewed ground incursions into areas of Gaza from which the forces had previously withdrawn.

Israel also barred the entry of humanitarian aid trucks carrying fuel and shelter materials for displaced families, who lost their homes due to the war, as well as heavy equipment needed to clear rubble and begin reconstruction. In May, the Israeli authorities allowed in only limited amounts of aid - insufficient to meet the minimum needs of Gaza's population - under a mechanism implemented in coordination with a US security company. The measure was opposed by UN agencies, other relief organizations, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), on the grounds that it violated established international humanitarian mechanisms.