Cairo: The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) on Tuesday dispatched its 60th Zad El-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza convoy, delivering 9,800 tonnes of urgent relief supplies to the besieged Strip, as sporadic violence and political tension continue to threaten the fragile truce.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the convoy includes 6,500 tonnes of food baskets and flour, 2,200 tonnes of medical and relief supplies, and more than 1,000 tonnes of fuel for hospitals and humanitarian centres across Gaza. The ERC, Egypt's national coordination mechanism for Gaza aid, stated it has maintained a 24-hour presence at the border to ensure uninterrupted deliveries despite mounting logistical and security challenges.
Since the outbreak of the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023, Egypt has delivered roughly 70 percent of all aid reaching Gaza, more than 570,000 tonnes, underscoring Cairo's dual role as both a humanitarian lifeline and a political mediator seeking to turn the ceasefire into a framework for reconstruction. The new convoy arrives amid deepening humanitarian strain.
According to United Nations (UN) agencies, about 1.9 million Palestinians remain displaced, while food, fuel, and medical shortages persist. Hospitals are struggling under chronic power cuts, and unexploded ordnance continues to endanger civilians and aid workers. On Monday, despite the ceasefire, at least three Palestinians were killed when Israeli occupation forces opened fire near Al-Qarara, north of Khan Younis, as Palestinians attempted to inspect their homes, medical sources in Gaza said. Rescue teams reached the bodies hours later due to the ongoing Israeli presence and unexploded munitions.
The incident marks one of the most serious ceasefire violations by Israel of the ceasefire agreement this week, highlighting the truce's fragility. Local reports also noted sporadic gunfire and limited Israeli air activity in parts of Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas on Monday handed over the body of another Israeli captive to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of the ceasefire implementation process.
Tensions have risen after US President Donald Trump reportedly gave Hamas a 48-hour ultimatum to complete the transfer of hostage remains or face renewed Israeli military action. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem protested that the claim that the group knows the location of the remaining missing bodies is "false", arguing that Israel's bombardment during the two-year conflict had left locations unrecognizable.
"We affirm our commitment to completing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement to prevent the occupation from finding any pretexts," he said, referring to Palestinians' fears that Israel could renew military action despite the truce. "We are determined to hand over the bodies of the Israeli captives as soon as possible," he said.
Egyptian mediation efforts have since intensified, with Cairo coordinating the entry of Egyptian engineering machinery into Gaza to clear rubble and open humanitarian corridors.