Angelina Jolie visits Rafah checkpoint in Egypt, Calls for continued humanitarian aid access in Gaza

Her visit comes amid Israel's new regulations restricting humanitarian organisations' access to Gaza and the West Bank

Angelina Jolie has made a visit to the Rafah checkpoint on the Egyptian side of the Gaza Strip, drawing attention to ongoing challenges facing humanitarian aid delivery as new restrictions come into force.

According to AFP and other reports, the American actor and filmmaker visited the area on January 2, where she met officials from the Red Crescent Society and spoke with drivers responsible for transporting humanitarian supplies.

She was also reported to have checked on Palestinian injured individuals transferred from Gaza to hospitals in Egypt. Jolie is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and a former UNHCR special envoy.

CNN reported, “Jolie visited the Rafah border checkpoint as aid groups in Gaza face the threat of being halted by Israel.” Her visit came one day after Israel introduced new regulations restricting access to Gaza and the West Bank for dozens of humanitarian organisations. Under the rules, aid workers must submit personal information, with non-compliance leading to suspended qualifications from January 1 and a requirement to cease activities within 60 days.

Reports indicated that 37 organisations, including Oxfam, the International Rescue Committee, ActionAid, Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian Refugee Council, did not meet the new requirements. In response, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued a joint statement urging Israel to ensure the continued operation of the United Nations and non-governmental organisations in Gaza and the West Bank.

A spokesperson for Jolie said, “The visit was made on a humanitarian basis.” During her time in Egypt, Jolie also met Palestinian and Sudanese refugee families.

In a statement, Jolie said, “I spoke with humanitarian organizations doing their best to overcome the constraints and difficulties of delivering necessary relief supplies to Gaza.” She added, “I toured a large warehouse filled with rejected items, most of which were medical supplies.”

She continued, “The needs are clear. The ceasefire must be maintained, and access must be urgently expanded to ensure that aid supplies, fuel, and essential medical equipment can move swiftly and consistently in the required quantities, safely and continuously.”