Actress and former U.N. refugee agency special envoy Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah crossing on Friday as part of a humanitarian trip to Egypt, according to a statement from Jolie’s representative.
Her visit came as Israel announced it would suspend the operations of dozens of aid groups operating in the Gaza Strip.
“I spoke with humanitarian agencies who are doing everything they can to overcome restrictions and challenges to bring needed aid to Gaza. I walked through large warehouses full of items that were refused entry, most of them medical supplies,” Joly said in a statement.
Israel announced earlier this week that it would suspend the operations of international aid organizations that fail to renew their registrations, including requiring organizations working in Gaza to provide personal information about their staff.
Aid agencies have repeatedly raised concerns about these requirements, citing the safety of their staff.
Israel’s move comes as 10 countries warn that the humanitarian situation in Gaza faces “another deterioration” and that the situation in the enclave “remains in a catastrophic state.”
Israel has argued that the registration rules are meant to prevent Hamas from misusing international aid, a claim rejected by the United Nations and aid groups. A US government investigation earlier this year found no evidence of widespread theft by Hamas, Israel and the US State Department claim.
Ruined Gaza is enduring a harsh winter, with heavy rains and plummeting temperatures exacerbating already dire living conditions.
Heavy rain and strong winds destroyed the waterlogged, flimsy tents in which many Palestinians were forced to live, killing at least 20 people as homes and buildings collapsed as they sought refuge from harsh weather conditions, the Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office (GMO) said.
During her visit, Joly met with aid workers from the Egyptian Red Crescent Society and other local organizations to discuss ways to provide additional aid to Gaza.
“The need is clear: Access must be sustained, safe, and urgently expanded to maintain the ceasefire and transport aid, fuel, and critical medical supplies in the quantities needed, quickly and consistently,” Joly said in a statement.
“Winter goods and essential medical equipment should be moved without delay. Every day of disruption costs lives,” she continued.
Jolie expressed her gratitude to the volunteers who work hard to provide humanitarian aid.
She is also meeting with Palestinian and Sudanese refugee families in Egypt, her office said.
