Cairo: The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) announced the successful delivery of the 272nd "Zad Al-Ezza... From Egypt to Gaza" convoy, which carried a substantial amount of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza. This convoy is part of ERC's continuing efforts to coordinate and deliver assistance to Palestinians effectively.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the convoy included nearly 75,000 food baskets, over 45 tons of flour, more than 679 tons of relief supplies, along with medical equipment and medicines. Additionally, the convoy delivered over 1,542 tons of fuel necessary for operating hospitals and other vital facilities in the Gaza Strip. Since the crisis began in October 2023, ERC has been instrumental as the national mechanism for coordinating aid to Gaza.

The ERC statement highlighted that despite the ongoing conflict, the Rafah Border Crossing has not been permanently closed, ensuring continued aid delivery. The organization has maintained its readiness at logistics centers, supported by a robust force of 75,000 volunteers.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been complicated by the actions of Israeli forces, who closed crossings on March 2, 2025, following the conclusion of the first phase of a ceasefire without a permanent agreement. The resumption of air strikes and ground operations on March 18, 2025, further exacerbated the crisis by restricting entry of humanitarian aid and necessary reconstruction materials.

Aid deliveries resumed in May 2025, although the mechanism implemented by Israeli authorities was rejected by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as it did not align with established international protocols. Temporary measures, like the 10-hour "temporary truce" on July 27, 2025, allowed for some aid distribution.

Efforts by mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the US, persisted to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and resolve issues like prisoner exchanges. The first phase of an agreement was reached on October 9, 2025, with the second phase initiated on February 2, 2026, facilitating the exchange of prisoners and reopening the Rafah Border Crossing for essential movements.