Gaza: The 280th convoy of humanitarian aid trucks, 'Zad Al-Ezza', from Egypt to Gaza began entering the Gaza Strip on Thursday, September 17, 2026, through the sub-gate of the Rafah Border Crossing, heading toward the Karam Abu Salem crossing, in preparation for delivering the aid into the Strip.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the convoy's trucks are carrying large quantities of food and relief supplies, including foodstuffs and food baskets, flour, meat, medical supplies, and fuel. The Egyptian Red Crescent has maintained a presence along the border since the crisis began. The Rafah crossing has remained continuously open on the Egyptian side, while the organization has remained on alert at all logistics centers and has pursued ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian and relief aid, supported by more than 75,000 volunteers across the organization.
Israeli occupation forces had closed crossings linking the Gaza Strip with the outside world on March 2, 2025, following the conclusion of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the failure to reach an agreement to consolidate the ceasefire. The truce was breached by heavy airstrikes on March 18, 2025, followed by renewed ground incursions into parts of the Gaza Strip from which Israeli forces had previously withdrawn.
Occupation forces also prevented the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel trucks, as well as shelter supplies for displaced Palestinians who had lost their homes during the war on Gaza. They also refused to allow the entry of heavy equipment needed to clear rubble and undertake reconstruction in the Strip.
Israeli military troops announced a 'temporary truce' lasting 10 hours on Sunday, July 27, 2025, and suspended military operations in parts of the Gaza Strip to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the United States continued their efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in Gaza and secure the exchange of prisoners and detainees. These efforts culminated in an agreement reached in the early hours of October 9, 2025, between Hamas and Israel under US President Donald Trump's plan in Sharm El-Sheikh, with Egyptian, US, and Qatari mediation and Turkish efforts.
The second phase of the agreement entered into force on Monday, February 2, 2026, following the completion of the exchange of prisoners and detainees and the handover of the remains of the last Israeli detainee under the first phase of the agreement. The implementation of the second phase allowed Palestinians to enter the Gaza Strip and injured Palestinians to leave the Strip for treatment at Egyptian hospitals following the opening of the Palestinian side of the Rafah Border Crossing.