Angelina Jolie visits Egyptian side of Rafah crossing to Gaza
Hollywood star inspects humanitarian aid and meets Red Crescent workers
RAFAH, Egypt (MNTV) — Actress and former UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza on Friday.
She met with Red Crescent volunteers, aid truck drivers, and Egyptian officials to discuss ongoing humanitarian operations amid the genocide in Gaza.
Angelina Jolie was joined by U.S. State Department officials and Egyptian figures, including North Sinai Governor Khaled Mujahed and former migration minister Nabila Makram, during her visit to the Rafah crossing.
The delegation’s purpose was to evaluate the delivery of critical humanitarian aid into Gaza and draw attention to urgent needs on the ground.
Global humanitarian agencies and diplomats have repeatedly emphasized the critical importance of the Rafah crossing as a gateway for aid into Gaza.
The Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing remains open, continuing to receive injured Palestinians transferred for treatment in Egyptian hospitals under WHO supervision.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian side faces operational difficulties due to ongoing Israeli attacks, aid blockades, and significant infrastructure damage.
Jolie reiterated her support for the Palestinian people during the visit and urged faster delivery of assistance, noting that many in Gaza are enduring “severe suffering”.
She met with aid workers and drivers transporting humanitarian supplies, underscoring the immediate need to broaden and expedite the flow of aid into the enclave.
Her presence at the crossing highlighted growing international concern over access to food, medicine and medical care for civilians amid continued airstrikes by Israel despite a ceasefire agreement.
The Rafah crossing has been a focal point in broader diplomatic efforts as countries including Egypt and several Arab and Muslim states have called for sustained humanitarian access.
In December, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging greater aid deliveries and emphasizing the need to ensure that border crossings function effectively as humanitarian lifelines.
Jolie’s visit also occurred within the context of ongoing debates over the crossing’s status.
Egypt has reiterated its policy that the Rafah terminal should remain open for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations, not as a route for mass displacement, while Israel seeks expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
Egypt maintains that the crossing’s operational arrangements must align with international agreements and respect the rights of Palestinians to remain in their homeland.
The visit brought renewed attention to the critical role of the Rafah crossing in addressing one of the most pressing humanitarian crises in the region, as civilians in Gaza continue to face shortages of essential supplies and medical care, due to Israeli blockades.
Jolie’s engagement with aid workers and local officials aimed to shed light on those conditions and advocate for enhanced international support and cooperation at this pivotal border point.
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