How Egypt’s Zad Al-Izza Became Gaza’s Strategic Lifeline

CAIRO – 12 January 2026: Since the outbreak of war against Gaza, Egypt has solidified its position as the primary lifeline for the Strip, spearheading the largest and most sustained humanitarian operation in modern history. Central to this effort is the "Zad Al-Izza... From Egypt to Gaza" campaign, a massive relief initiative launched by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) to provide continuous, multi-dimensional support to the Palestinian people.

The 'Zad Al-Izza' Convoys: A National Mechanism

 

On Monday, the 114th "Zad Al-Izza" convoy entered the Gaza Strip, delivering a fleet of trucks loaded with urgent supplies.

This latest shipment included approximately 7,200 tons of comprehensive aid, featuring more than 4,700 tons of food baskets and flour, 800 tons of medical and relief supplies, 200 tons of water, and nearly 1,500 tons of petroleum products. To mitigate the impact of severe winter conditions, the ERC also dispatched 33,780 winter clothing items, 10,630 blankets, and 1,985 tents to provide shelter for displaced families.

 

Since the campaign's inception on July 27, 2025, the "Zad Al-Izza" initiative alone has facilitated the delivery of over 270,000 tons of aid. Dr. Amal Imam, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent, noted in a televised statement that these convoys operate five days a week, from Sunday through Thursday, to ensure a steady flow of resources.

Scaling the Humanitarian Bridge

In a comprehensive report detailing operations since Oct. 8, 2023, the ERC confirmed that total aid sent to Gaza has reached 778,751 tons. This total is comprised of 64% food aid, 31% general relief supplies, and 5% specialized medical aid.

 

A hallmark of the "Zad Al-Izza" initiative has been the massive volume of individual provisions, including 7.8 million food baskets, 1.2 million sacks of flour, and approximately 1.16 million packages of infant formula. Additionally, through the "Luqma Haniya" (A Bite of Happiness) initiative, the ERC operates a humanitarian kitchen in North Sinai, preparing and distributing hot meals directly to those affected by the crisis.

 

A Global Logistics Hub

Egypt has served as the central global nexus for international assistance, managing approximately 70% of the total humanitarian aid that has reached the territory. The logistical scale is unprecedented, utilizing air, sea, and land routes to bypass the constraints of the ongoing blockade.

 

Al-Arish Airport has received nearly 1,000 international relief flights, while Mediterranean ports have handled more than 600 maritime shipments from 59 countries. Despite the mid-2024 closure of the Rafah crossing, the ERC has maintained constant readiness, utilizing 65,000 volunteers to facilitate entry through alternative logistical centers.

Medical and Infrastructure Support

Beyond physical goods, Egypt provides a critical medical safety net. Since November 2023, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has facilitated the treatment of more than 18,500 injured Palestinians and their companions across a network of 172 Egyptian hospitals.

 

This care has encompassed over 90,000 surgical procedures and clinical examinations. To bolster Gaza's internal infrastructure, Egypt has delivered 214 ambulances, coordinated the deployment of four field hospitals, and supplied 91,000 tons of fuel to maintain hospital operations and water sanitation services.

 

Diplomatic Paths to Peace

On Oct. 13, 2025, Egypt hosted a landmark peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh to facilitate a ceasefire agreement. Co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the summit gathered leaders from more than 20 countries. The resulting agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aimed to end the conflict and usher in a new era of regional stability. The first phase of this agreement went into effect on Oct. 9, 2025, following ratification by the Israeli government and monitoring by the United Nations.