170th 'Zad el-Izza' Convoy of humanitarian aid enters into Gaza Strip

CAIRO - 2 April 2026: The 170th "Zad el-Izza" convoy of humanitarian aid trucks began entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, heading towards the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, in preparation for their entry into the Strip.

 

This is part of ongoing Egyptian efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Strip, which is home to more than two million Palestinians.

 

An official source stated that the trucks are carrying large quantities of food and relief supplies, including food baskets, flour, fresh bread, legumes, canned goods, medicine, personal hygiene items, tents, and petroleum products.

 

Israeli occupation forces had closed the crossings connecting the Gaza Strip since March 2, 2025, after the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the failure to reach an agreement to solidify the ceasefire.

 

The Israeli occupation forces violated the truce with heavy aerial bombardment on March 18, 2025, and re-invaded various areas of the Gaza Strip from which they had previously withdrawn.

 

The occupation authorities also prevented the entry of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, fuel, and shelter supplies for displaced people who lost their homes due to the war on Gaza. The entry of heavy equipment necessary for rubble removal and reconstruction into the Gaza Strip was refused.

 

Aid deliveries to Gaza resumed in May 2025 through a mechanism implemented by the Israeli authorities and an American security company, despite objections from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which cited its violation of established international procedures.

 

The second phase of the agreement came into effect on Monday, February 2, 2026, following the completion of the prisoner exchange and the handover of the remains of the last Israeli detainee, as stipulated in the first phase.

 

This phase allowed Palestinians to enter the Gaza Strip and the wounded to leave for treatment in Egyptian hospitals after the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing was opened.