Hollywood actor and former UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah Crossing in Egypt to assess the deepening humanitarian emergency in Gaza, at a time when Israel has announced the suspension of operations by several international aid organisations working in the conflict-hit territory.
According to reports cited by CNN, Jolie arrived at the border crossing on Friday as part of a humanitarian visit to Egypt, where she interacted with representatives of aid agencies involved in relief operations for Gaza. Her visit came against the backdrop of Israel’s recent decision to halt the activities of multiple humanitarian groups, a move that has raised serious concerns among relief organisations.
Israeli authorities have said the suspension followed an investigation that led to the introduction of a revised vetting and registration process for aid groups, including the requirement to submit personal details of staff operating in Gaza. Humanitarian organisations, however, have warned that these measures are obstructing aid delivery and could place their employees at risk.
After touring the area, Jolie said she spoke with humanitarian workers struggling to navigate restrictions on the movement of essential supplies into Gaza. She described seeing warehouses stocked with aid that could not be delivered, including vital medical materials that had been denied entry. Quoting her statement, CNN reported Jolie saying that large quantities of life-saving supplies remain stuck despite urgent needs on the ground.
Aid agencies have repeatedly cautioned that the new registration rules could endanger staff and slow relief operations. Israel, on its part, has maintained that Hamas exploits international aid, a claim rejected by the United Nations and several humanitarian groups. A review conducted by the US government earlier this year reportedly found no evidence of large-scale diversion of aid by Hamas.
Israel has itself acknowledged that Gaza is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, describing conditions in the enclave as catastrophic. Much of the territory lies in ruins, and civilians are battling harsh winter weather, with heavy rainfall and falling temperatures worsening an already desperate situation. The Hamas-run Government Media Office in Gaza has said that air and ground attacks have destroyed temporary shelters, leaving displaced families exposed to severe conditions, with reports of at least 20 deaths linked to building collapses during storms.
During her visit, Jolie met representatives of the Egyptian Red Crescent and other local organisations to discuss ways to expand humanitarian assistance. Emphasising urgency, she said that sustained access for aid was critical and stressed the need for the ceasefire to continue so that relief operations could function effectively.
Jolie said winter supplies and essential medical equipment should be entering Gaza daily, warning that delays were costing lives. She also expressed appreciation for the efforts of volunteers and aid workers operating under extremely challenging circumstances.
The visit is part of Jolie’s continued humanitarian advocacy, reflecting her long-standing engagement with civilians affected by conflict zones around the world, according to reports.
