Egyptian Red Crescent sends 117th Gaza aid convoy amid harsh winter

CAIRO – 15 January 2026: The Egyptian Red Crescent today dispatched its 117th humanitarian convoy, titled “Zad Al-Izza … From Egypt to Gaza”, carrying urgent aid to the Gaza Strip amid a wave of bitter winter cold.

The 117th convoy transported over 8,080 tons of comprehensive humanitarian supplies, including more than 4,830 tons of food baskets and flour, around 1,385 tons of medical and relief items including essential medicines, and 66 tons of personal care supplies.

In addition, around 1,800 tons of fuel were included, alongside essential winter provisions including 53,200 winter clothing items, over 16,070 blankets, and 1,260 emergency tents to shelter those affected.

Launched on July 27, 2025, the Zad Al-Izza convoy program has delivered thousands of tons of aid over its operations.

Supplies have ranged from food and flour, infant milk, medical equipment and medicines, personal care items, to fuel, aiming to meet the urgent needs of Gaza’s population.

Two years of unrelenting Israeli strikes in Gaza has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, damaged or destroyed over 80 percent of buildings and displaced the majority of the 2.2 million population.

The urgency has been heightened by worsening winter conditions in Gaza, where heavy rainfall has damaged makeshift shelters and flooded large areas.

Despite the distribution of tents and protective coverings since the start of a fragile ceasefire, humanitarian agencies estimate that more than one million people, roughly half the territory’s population, remain in critical need of adequate shelter, the UN reported in January.

Repeated displacement during the prolonged war has left many families exposed, with flooded streets, mud, and debris further compounding living conditions.