Rafah: The 48th humanitarian aid convoy under the initiative ‘Zad Al-Ezzah. From Egypt to Gaza’ departed on Friday from the Egyptian side of the Rafah Border Crossing, en route to the Karam Abu Salem crossing, located in the southeastern part of the Gaza Strip.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the convoy consists of trucks loaded with relief supplies, including shelter materials, food items, medical supplies, and essential medicines. The ‘Zad Al-Ezzah’ initiative, launched by the Egyptian Red Crescent on July 27, aims to support the Palestinian people amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since its inception, the initiative has delivered thousands of tons of aid, including food staples, flour, infant formula, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and large quantities of fuel. Over the past two years, Egypt, through the Egyptian Red Crescent, has sent more than 580,000 tons of humanitarian and relief aid to Gaza, making it the largest aid response of its kind since the outbreak of war in the enclave on October 7, 2023.

Despite these efforts, Israeli authorities have kept Gaza’s border crossings closed since March 2, following the conclusion of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement and the failure to reach a permanent truce. The ceasefire was violated on March 18 by a wave of intense Israeli airstrikes, followed by renewed ground incursions into areas previously vacated.

Since then, Israeli forces have blocked the entry of humanitarian convoys, fuel, and shelter supplies, and have refused to allow heavy equipment necessary for debris removal and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. These restrictions have significantly worsened conditions for the displaced population, many of whom lost their homes during the ongoing conflict.