How is humanitarian aid getting into Gaza?

In October 2025, a ceasefire agreement came into effect, bringing hope to millions who have faced relentless suffering in Gaza. 

Since 2023, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has had 1,400 responders active in Gaza and has processed more than 22,000 trucks of humanitarian aid.

But with aid access restricted, people have lived through immense pain, suffering and hunger.

In August 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, declared a famine in parts of Gaza, including Gaza City. 

Throughout, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has continued to operate in Gaza, day in and day out.

Our Palestine Red Crescent Society colleagues are from the very communities they help. Despite the impossible conditions they’re living in, they continue to get up every day and do all they can to help their neighbours in need. Their continued work provides a small glimmer of hope to their communities in a very dark time.

• Find out more about the catastrophic humanitarian situation and how we're trying to help: What is happening in Gaza?

Is aid getting into Gaza?

While more aid is entering Gaza since the ceasefire, it falls far short of meeting the scale of humanitarian needs. The number of trucks entering needs to be significantly scaled up, ensuring adequate delivery of food, water, medical supplies, shelter materials and other essential aid items. 

Recently, in coordination with Egyptian Red Crescent Society and other humanitarian agencies, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has received more non-food household items and basic items and has been able to distribute them to vulnerable people in Gaza. 

The Egyptian Red Crescent Society is coordinating aid shipments going through the Karem Abu Salem crossing, collaborating with Egyptian authorities and international partners. 

Despite constraints and challenges, they are ensuring aid reaches affected families and since November 2025 have been handling on average 400 trucks a day destined for Gaza via Karem Abu Salem. 

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is ready to significantly increase aid deliveries across borders and distribution within Gaza, led by the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza, the Egyptian Red Crescent Society at the border with Egypt, and facilitated by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). 

What's the humanitarian situation like in Gaza?

In July 2025, the ICRC's president Mirjana Spoljaric said: “Children are dying because they do not have enough to eat. Families are being forced to flee again and again in search of safety that does not exist. 

“This tragedy must end now – immediately and decisively. Every political hesitation, every attempt at justification of the horrors being committed under international watch will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war.

“Amid an ever-changing situation, the Palestine Red Crescent Society is working tirelessly on the ground to provide essential support. But with every piece of medical equipment that is broken, every hospital wall that is destroyed, every supply stock that is damaged, the chances of recovery for thousands in Gaza slips away."

• The malnutrition crisis in Gaza: 475,000 people facing starvation

What’s the quickest and best way to get aid into Gaza?

The quickest way to get aid into Gaza is through established crossings like Rafah, Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Erez/Beit Hanoun.

Land-based delivery remains the most effective way to deliver aid into Gaza, as these roads are the main arteries for aid delivery and so have the greatest capacity. This approach is sustainable, reliable and has been successful in the past.

How has the Red Crescent been getting aid into Gaza?

Colleagues from the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Egyptian Red Crescent have been working day and night, delivering assistance.

They have done so for over two years, playing a critical role in getting aid across the border and distributed to people in Gaza.

“The Palestine Red Crescent Society are one of very few humanitarian actors who are present in Gaza itself, throughout the Gaza strip from the south to the north,” says Sumiko, who was recently deployed with the IFRC to act as an operations manager.

“They have been providing assistance, not just now because of the recent conflict, but throughout the history of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

Has the Red Crescent managed to deliver aid into Gaza?

Yes – the Palestine Red Crescent Society has been at the forefront of the humanitarian response from the very beginning of the conflict and has supported communities for decades.

They have processed over 22,700 trucks of humanitarian aid since 2023, distributing over 1.6 million emergency relief items including food parcels, hygiene kits, blankets and tents. They have also distributed 14 million bottles of water, and installed four water purification stations. 

Since October 2023, 31 members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society have been killed on duty. Day in and day out, Palestine Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers continue their work — saving lives, giving hope, and delivering support to those who need it most. 

How has the British Red Cross been supporting?

During crises like the conflict in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, the entire Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comes together.

The British Red Cross is directly supporting Magen David Adom in Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society, to respond to their communities’ urgent needs.

In July 2024, the British Red Cross launched the Gaza Crisis Appeal, to reflect the vast humanitarian needs in Gaza and the funding required to ensure these needs are met. 

Your donations have been invaluable in helping to fund this response.

How can more aid get into Gaza?

Though Gaza is facing a crisis that will not be healed by aid alone, aid agencies must be allowed to deliver humanitarian assistance at a faster pace – and safely.

This will vastly improve people’s chances of survival. Aid agencies, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent, are here to safeguard civilian life and uphold human dignity.

How can someone in the UK help Gaza?

Through a huge, sustained effort over a long period of time, we can avert an even greater catastrophe. We're on the ground and ready. Let's be there for people in Gaza. If you're in the UK, the best way to help us do this, is by donating to our appeal. 

• If you can, please donate to the Gaza Crisis appeal