Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) confirmed that the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip is taking place under an ongoing emergency response plan, using the border crossings currently available.
Fahad Al-Osaimi, Director of Emergency Relief at KSrelief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the center has successfully delivered more than 900 aid trucks to Gaza since the war began in October 2023.
He explained that the aid is currently being channeled through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt, in coordination with Egyptian Red Crescent. The assistance first arrives at El-Arish, where it is received and then transported to Rafah. From there, it proceeds to the Kerem Shalom crossing before entering the Palestinian enclave.
Inside Gaza, the aid is handed over to KSrelief’s local partner, the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, which is responsible for distributing it to those affected.
The distribution follows “strict procedures” and is carried out in coordination with active humanitarian organizations on the ground, stressed Al-Osaimi.
Israeli authorities “have not yet resumed allowing” aid deliveries through the Jordanian border crossing, he stated.
903 trucks and 11 planes
Al-Osaimi revealed that as of Tuesday, Saudi Arabia has sent a total of 903 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid since the beginning of the war.
Since early September, when aid deliveries through Egypt were approved, 11 relief flights have arrived at El-Arish, carrying additional supplies.
KSrelief is working to increase and intensify the number of aid flights in the coming weeks, he added.
“The center is also stepping up efforts to deliver more aid through a maritime relief bridge currently being coordinated with the Egyptian authorities,” he said.
Expanded assistance after ceasefire
Following the ceasefire in Gaza on October 10 and the reopening of border crossings with Egypt, KSrelief managed to deliver 86 pallets of aid through relief convoys. These included 20 pallets of infant formula and 66 pallets of food baskets.
Al-Osaimi stressed that coordination is ongoing between KSrelief, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and allied countries to facilitate the entry of aid into Gaza.
He underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to continue providing assistance in priority humanitarian sectors, in cooperation with local implementing partners and active relief organizations.
According to KSrelief, Saudi Arabia has sent 69 relief aircraft and eight aid ships to Gaza since the outbreak of the war. The shipments have included medical supplies, food, shelter equipment, 20 ambulances, more than 39,000 ready-to-eat meals, 10 water tankers, 30 power generators, and 62 units of logistical support equipment. The total weight of aid delivered by air and sea has reached 7,641.188 tons.
