Angelina Jolie Engages with Palestinian Refugees at Rafah Crossing

On Friday, renowned actor and former UN refugee agency envoy Angelina Jolie visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing into Gaza. Accompanied by an American delegation, she was welcomed by officials and engaged with humanitarian volunteers.

The visit aimed to connect with Palestinian victims undergoing treatment in Egypt, while also assessing the aid efforts directed into Gaza. Jolie reportedly engaged with patients at a hospital in Arish, as per the Associated Press.

During her time at Rafah, Jolie interacted with members of the Red Crescent, a prominent humanitarian group, as well as with truck drivers facilitating the delivery of crucial aid into Gaza. She expressed deep admiration for the dedication of these volunteers.

Although a ceasefire agreement aimed to reopen the Rafah crossing, it remains shut. In response, Egypt and several other countries, including Saudi Arabia, issued a statement urging the international community to pressure Israel to remove barriers hindering the flow of vital supplies into Gaza.

Earlier in December, Israeli authorities declared that the Rafah crossing would only permit individuals to exit Gaza, not enter. Egypt quickly refuted any agreement to this proposal, standing firm against hosting Palestinian refugees on its land.

Israel has maintained it will restrict any entry into Gaza pending the return of hostages allegedly held by Hamas from October 7, 2023, onwards.

Following the initiation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, there have been 416 casualties and over a thousand injuries in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. The broader conflict has resulted in a reported 71,271 Palestinian deaths.

Jolie, known not only for her acting prowess but also for her extensive humanitarian work, concluded her role as a special envoy for the UN's refugee office in late 2022. She expressed a desire to broaden her focus on humanitarian agendas after over two decades in the role.