Egypt is readying humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza following a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Hamas, aiming to end over 15 months of conflict. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi confirmed plans to send convoys carrying food, medicine, water, and prefabricated homes once the truce takes effect on Sunday, January 19.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s primary link to Egypt, is central to these relief efforts. However, concerns about its readiness and Israel’s adherence to the ceasefire raise uncertainty. Aid deliveries have faced months of obstruction, with thousands of tons of supplies delayed and food spoilage reported.
Gaza remains in a dire humanitarian state, with over 46,000 killed, millions displaced, and vital infrastructure destroyed. Recent ceasefire negotiations, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., seek to restore aid flow, yet intensified Israeli airstrikes near border areas have further complicated relief efforts.
Egyptian Red Crescent teams and aid workers stand prepared to act as soon as access is granted, but the destruction of Rafah’s infrastructure limits its capacity to handle the anticipated aid influx. Political groups in Egypt have called for immediate and unrestricted access to Gaza to address the crisis and restore sovereignty to the border.