Egypt remains committed to delivering vital aid into Gaza, where widespread hunger and malnutrition persist, coordinating the transfer of 1.5 million tons of food and supplies through the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border amid worsening conditions. The situation remains dire as Israel's tightened blockade, imposed after the conflict with Hamas erupted on October 7, 2023, has caused severe shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and other necessities. International organizations, including the United Nations (UN), have condemned the blockade, urging Israel to lift it immediately to avert further humanitarian catastrophe. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi recently described Israel's actions as a "war of starvation and annihilation," galvanizing Egyptian philanthropists to launch one of the largest aid initiatives since the conflict began. Their 11th aid convoy is now set to deliver critical supplies to the Palestinian enclave, marking a significant milestone in Egypt's ongoing efforts to alleviate the crisis. With a consignment of 1.5 million tons of assorted goods, this campaign stands as one of the largest ever organized by Egyptians for Gaza. "We have 200 of the trucks that you are all watching and seeing. They have like more than 5,000 volunteers going and delivering all the help that our brothers in Gaza need. This scene is very important for Egypt because as we said, the government and the civil society are working together," said Nabila Makram, head of the Technical Secretariat of Egypt's National Alliance for Civil and Development Work. At the Rafah crossing, which is the only gateway between Egypt and Gaza, only passengers are allowed to make their way through. For goods to reach Palestinians though, trucks must go to the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing where many Egyptian trucks went but returned having been barred from crossing. "I have been staying here for more than two weeks. We went twice to the border, but the Israelis made us return. Two days ago, there were 350 trucks. They allowed 35 in and made all the others go back," said a truck driver named Sayed Sayed. "I was hoping that today they would let us pass. We went there and stayed for four hours. They only allowed 20 trucks in and the rest of us returned. Since Saturday, it's been like this, we go in and then come back without any solution. We aren't able to deliver aid to the people. The Israelis are doing this, the Egyptians want all these trucks to enter," said another truck driver named Sameh Mohamed. Egyptian officials acknowledged they had anticipated this reaction from Israel but remain steadfast in their commitment. They insist on continuing to send truckloads of aid to relieve hunger and assist the struggling population in Gaza despite the challenges. "There were no obstacles at all. But since they feel that we are successful and the number of trucks are increasing, they tried to put obstacles or hold them. We don't care, we have to keep going because we have a strategic goal, to keep the Palestinians inside the Gaza strip territory and not let anyone to force them to leave their land," said Khaled Megahed, Governor of North Sinai. Besides these efforts, Egypt's armed forces recently announced a series of humanitarian aid air drops into the Palestinian strip. Despite the challenges, Egypt's efforts highlight unwavering solidarity with Gaza, underscoring the nation's resolve to support its neighbors in the face of adversity. SHOTLIST: Rafah, Egypt - Aug 6, 2025 1. Various of tents, vehicles; 2. Various of trucks loaded with supplies parking on street; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Nabila Makram, head, Technical Secretariat, Egypt's National Alliance for Civil and Development Work (partially overlaid with shot 4): "We have 200 of the trucks that you are all watching and seeing. They have like more than 5,000 volunteers going and delivering all the help that our brothers in Gaza need. This scene is very important for Egypt because as we said, the government and the civil society are working together."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of volunteers, vehicles at Rafah crossing; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Various of Rafah crossing; 6. Various of trucks loaded with supplies moving; 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sayed Sayed, truck driver (ending with shot 8): "I have been staying here for more than two weeks. We went twice to the border, but the Israelis made us return. Two days ago, there were 350 trucks. They allowed 35 in and made all the others go back."; 8. Various of trucks loaded with supplies; 9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sameh Mohamed, truck driver (starting with shot 8/partially overlaid with shot 10): "I was hoping that today they would let us pass. We went there and stayed for four hours. They only allowed 20 trucks in and the rest of us returned. Since Saturday, it's been like this, we go in and then come back without any solution. We aren't able to deliver aid to the people. The Israelis are doing this, the Egyptians want all these trucks to enter."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. Truck loaded with supplies moving; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Various of staff, press at Rafah crossing, listening to officials speaking; 12. Trucks loaded with supplies moving; 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Khaled Megahed, Governor, North Sinai (partially overlaid with shot 14/ending with shot 15): "There were no obstacles at all. But since they feel that we are successful and the number of trucks are increasing, they tried to put obstacles or hold them. We don't care, we have to keep going because we have a strategic goal, to keep the Palestinians inside the Gaza strip territory and not let anyone to force them to leave their land."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 14. Trucks loaded with supplies; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 15. Various of trucks loaded with supplies; 16. Man holding Hayah Karima Foundation flag standing. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]