Egyptian Aid Convoy Enters Gaza as Humanitarian Deliveries Resume After Eid Pause

 The 204th humanitarian aid convoy, dubbed "Zad Al-Ezzah: From Egypt to Gaza," entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking the resumption of aid and fuel deliveries through the Karem Abu Salem crossing after a brief suspension during the Eid al-Adha holiday, an official source said.

The convoy carried substantial quantities of humanitarian assistance, including food supplies, flour, fresh bread, legumes, canned goods, medicines, personal hygiene products, tents, clothing, winter relief items and fuel shipments intended to support civilians facing worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

The source said all trucks underwent inspection by Israeli authorities before being cleared to enter Gaza.

The latest delivery comes amid ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, where shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies have deepened following months of conflict.

Israel closed Gaza's crossings on March 2, 2025, after the first phase of a ceasefire agreement expired without a deal to extend the truce. Israeli forces resumed air strikes on March 18 and renewed ground operations in areas of the enclave from which they had previously withdrawn.

Israeli authorities also halted the entry of humanitarian aid, fuel and shelter materials for displaced residents, while restricting the import of heavy equipment required for debris removal and reconstruction efforts.

Aid deliveries resumed in May 2025 under a mechanism overseen by Israeli authorities and a U.S.-based security company, despite objections from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which argued that the arrangement bypassed established international humanitarian distribution mechanisms.

The Israeli military later announced a 10-hour temporary pause in operations in parts of Gaza on July 27, 2025, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, mediators including Egypt, Qatar and the United States have continued efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and a hostage-prisoner exchange agreement. Those efforts culminated in an accord reached on Oct. 9, 2025, between Hamas and Israel on the first phase of a ceasefire framework proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump during negotiations held in Sharm El-Sheikh with Egyptian, Qatari, Turkish and U.S. mediation.

Egypt has remained a key channel for humanitarian assistance to Gaza throughout the conflict, coordinating relief deliveries and diplomatic efforts aimed at easing the humanitarian situation and advancing a permanent ceasefire.