Hollywood actress and humanitarian advocate Angelina Jolie has reaffirmed her support for Palestinians during a visit to Egypt’s North Sinai region, where she inspected humanitarian operations at the Rafah border crossing.
The visit, which took place on 2 January, highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Egypt’s role in facilitating aid deliveries.
Jolie, accompanied by a US delegation and greeted by Egyptian officials, met with Red Crescent volunteers, truck drivers, and aid workers at the crossing.
She expressed gratitude for their efforts, saying she was “honoured” to meet those working tirelessly to deliver assistance to Gaza.
Thousands of trucks remain queued at Rafah, awaiting clearance to deliver food, medical supplies, and other essentials to the enclave’s 2.4 million residents.
The actress also visited hospitals in Arish, where injured Palestinians transferred from Gaza are receiving treatment.
Reports confirm she spoke with patients and reviewed Egypt’s logistical operations, including warehouses storing aid before distribution.
During her visit, Jolie announced plans to establish an aid village for orphaned children in Gaza, a project aimed at providing shelter, healthcare, education, and psychological support.
She emphasised that children in Gaza “deserve to enjoy life and hope like other children around the world.”
The initiative, if realised, would create a safe haven for those who have lost family members amid the ongoing armed violence on Gazans.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The aggression by Israel, has stretched into its third year, leaving tens of thousands Palestinians dead and approximately 80 to 90 percent of all buildings and infrastructure across the Gaza have been destroyed.
Egypt has become a critical lifeline, facilitating aid deliveries and hosting displaced and injured Palestinians.
Jolie’s visit underscores her longstanding commitment to humanitarian causes. As a former UNHCR Special Envoy, she has previously advocated for refugees and displaced populations worldwide.
Her presence near Rafah has drawn international attention to the plight of Gazans and the urgent need for sustained humanitarian aid access.
Local observers noted that Jolie’s engagement could help amplify calls for greater international support. Aid organisations continue to warn that without immediate and unblocked access, Gaza faces worsening shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.
Her visit also comes amid heightened global scrutiny of the humanitarian situation, with Rafah remaining the only pedestrian and commercial gateway between Gaza and the outside world.
Jolie’s advocacy is expected to add pressure on governments and international bodies to prioritise humanitarian corridors and ensure aid reaches those most in need.
Sources: AFP, Malay Mail, Al Arabiya, Quds News Network
