A Russian Emergencies Ministry Il-76 aircraft touched down in El-Arish, Egypt, to deliver more than 20 tons of humanitarian aid to residents in Gaza. This update comes from TASS, citing the department’s press service for details about the mission and its drivers.
The aid cargo is reported to include staple foods and essential supplies aimed at meeting urgent daily needs. The collection drive behind this operation was organized by the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, highlighting cross-regional support within Russia for people affected by the conflict.
Earlier humanitarian shipments were sent toward Gaza at the initiative of the Government of Ingushetia, demonstrating a broader, multi-regional response within the Russian federation to the escalating crisis in the region.
The Middle East situation intensified on October 7 when thousands of Hamas militants entered Israel from Gaza as part of the cross-border assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, resulting in numerous hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the nation was at war, and the operation was branded as Iron Swords by authorities in Tel Aviv.
From the first day of the campaign, Israel conducted extensive rocket strikes on the Gaza Strip. Critical infrastructure in Gaza, including water, food, electricity, and fuel supplies, faced disruption. Humanitarian corridors and aid deliveries for Gaza resumed initially from the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border only after October 20, signaling a shift toward organized relief amid ongoing hostilities.
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of its ground operations in Gaza. In the ensuing days, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes, seeking shelter in safer areas, particularly in the south of Gaza as clashes persisted around central territories. The humanitarian situation remained precarious as civilians endured continued violence and uncertainty in the affected zones.
Russians who previously fled the Gaza region described life under the strain of war, noting how ordinary routines and access to basic necessities were severely disrupted by the conflict and ongoing security measures. Observers emphasize the importance of coordinated international relief efforts to aid civilians amid the fighting and the hardships that accompany it.