Cairo: The 253rd 'Zad Al-Ezza... From Egypt to Gaza' humanitarian aid convoy began entering Gaza on Monday through the auxiliary gate of the Rafah Border Crossing toward the Kerem Shalom crossing, in preparation for the delivery of aid into the enclave, as part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis affecting more than two million Palestinians.According to State Information Service Egypt, an official source said the trucks were carrying large quantities of food and relief supplies, including foodstuffs and food baskets, flour, fresh bread, legumes, canned food, medicines, personal-care supplies, tents, clothing, and fuel. The trucks are subject to inspection by Israeli occupation forces before being allowed to enter Gaza, the source said.Israeli forces closed the crossings linking Gaza with the outside world on March 2, 2025, after the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement ended without an agreement to extend the truce. Israel resumed heavy airstrikes on March 18, 2025, and re newed ground operations in several parts of Gaza from which its forces had previously withdrawn. Israeli forces also prevented humanitarian aid, fuel, and shelter supplies from entering Gaza, while blocking the entry of heavy equipment needed to clear rubble and support reconstruction, the source said.Aid deliveries to Gaza resumed in May 2025 under a mechanism implemented by Israeli authorities and a US security company, which the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) rejected as inconsistent with established international arrangements. Israeli forces announced a 10-hour 'temporary humanitarian pause' on July 27, 2025, suspending military operations in parts of Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered.Mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the US continued efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire and an agreement on the exchange of prisoners and hostages. An agreement between Hamas and Israel on the first phase of a ceasefire deal was reached in the early hours of Oct. 9, 202 5, under a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and mediated by Egypt, the US, and Qatar, with Turkish efforts. The second phase of the agreement took effect on Feb. 2, 2026, after the completion of prisoner and hostage exchanges and the handover of the remains of the last Israeli hostage under the first phase. The agreement allowed Palestinians to enter Gaza and wounded people to leave for treatment in Egyptian hospitals after the Palestinian side of the Rafah Border Crossing was reopened.