Trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza have been returned by Israel and left near the Egyptian border outside Arish. The aid boxes remain on the trucks, frustrating drivers and UN officials. Minor packaging issues, documentation errors, security concerns, and limited working hours at the Israeli border have all contributed to the delays.
News agency Reuters observed trucks carrying WHO-labeled items like wound-cleaning devices and medicines being held due to alleged “illegal medicine,” though the reasons could not be independently verified.
During a visit by The Elders—a group of former world leaders supporting a two-state solution—members criticized Israel’s restrictions. Despite Israel’s July 27 announcement to allow more aid, only a fraction has entered Gaza.
A WHO worker described the current bureaucratic delays, noting that permits now take at least a month. Since July 27, only 1,334 trucks have entered Gaza, far below the 9,000 expected if 600 trucks entered daily.
Egyptian drivers must take cargo to Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing for inspection, where only 30–50 out of 200–300 trucks are allowed daily. Issues like missing stickers or tilted pallets are cited for rejections, though drivers call these reasons invalid.
Red Crescent warehouses near El Arish hold returned goods, including oxygen cylinders, wheelchairs, tires, generators, and first-aid kits from international agencies. Aid workers say such returns are regular. The World Food Programme reported that out of 400 trucks sent since July 27, only 73 have reached Gaza.
