Overview
- On Jan. 2, Jolie met Red Crescent staff and aid truck drivers on the Egyptian side of Rafah, saying she was honored to meet the volunteers.
- Local and AFP reports say she toured aid warehouses and visited injured Palestinians receiving treatment at El Arish Hospital in North Sinai.
- She was accompanied by an American delegation and was received by officials, with local coverage naming North Sinai governor Khaled Megahed.
- A Red Crescent volunteer told her thousands of aid trucks are waiting at the border as the crossing remains largely closed despite an October ceasefire.
- Regional governments, including Egypt and six partners, issued a joint statement urging pressure on Israel to lift aid constraints, while Israeli media reported discussions about reopening under U.S. pressure without a full two-way opening in place.