On Friday, at least 26 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, according to a post on the X platform by the Office for the Coordination of Israeli Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT).
The information indicates a breakdown of deliveries: 12 trucks carrying 330 tons of food to the Palestinian settlement area, 10 trucks delivering 200 tons of medical supplies, 3 trucks with 60 tons of water, and 1 truck bringing 15 tons of basic necessities to support the operation of temporary shelter centers.
Additionally, it was reported that on November 18 a special aircraft, an Il-76 belonging to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, departed from Grozny to El-Arish in Egypt to deliver 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza residents.
The broader crisis in the Middle East intensified after thousands of Hamas militants crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, following Hamas’s announcement of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war.
The stated aim of Israel’s response to Operation Iron Sword has been to counter the attack, secure release of more than 200 hostages—including foreigners—and dismantle Hamas. To pursue this objective, Israel conducted major rocket strikes on the Gaza Strip from the outset of the operation. Concurrently, Israel’s National Security Council decided to halt the flow of water, food, essential goods, electricity, and fuel into the territoire. Humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza began through Rafah only after October 20, and their volume was described as insufficient by officials and aid workers alike.
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of the ground operation in Gaza. The exact start date of the ground actions remains unclear. In the weeks prior, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes, seeking shelter in southern areas and other safer locations. By November 5, as ground forces of the IDF pressed into Gaza City and surrounding areas, access to central Gaza remained constrained, complicating humanitarian relief efforts and ongoing clashes.
Analysts note the delicate balance between security objectives and humanitarian needs as aid corridors, including Rafah, are used to support civilians while fighting continues. Observers emphasize that ongoing coordination among international agencies, regional actors, and aid providers is critical to delivering relief and protecting civilians amid a volatile security environment. The situation remains fluid, with daily developments shaping responses on the ground and in international discussions about aid access and civilian protection.