Angelina Jolie visits Rafah Crossing in Egypt, meets Palestinians from Gaza

American actor and humanitarian advocate Angelina Jolie has paid an official visit to the Rafah Crossing in Egypt - the only pedestrian and commercial gateway between Gaza and the outside world -  to meet with humanitarian organisations and better understand the conditions of Palestinians from Gaza, according to reports.

During Friday's visit, Jolie viewed logistical supply warehouses operated by the Egyptian Red Crescent, which are used to store and distribute essential humanitarian assistance normally destined for Gaza.

The crossing is currently controlled by Israel, which severely limits the humanitarian aid that can enter the besieged Palestinian enclave. 

The former UN special envoy was received by Major General Khaled Mujawer, governor of North Sinai, and Ambassador Nabila Makram Obeid, head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work.

She was also joined by a US State Department official, according Al Arabiya news. 

Jolie also toured Al-Arish General Hospital, where a number of wounded Palestinians are receiving medical treatment. She received briefings from medical teams on the nature of the injuries and the significant pressures facing the healthcare system due to the continued influx of patients from Gaza, Egyptian media reported.

Translation: Angelina Jolie visits Al-Arish on a humanitarian mission to check on the conditions of the injured Palestinians. All appreciation and respect to the Governor of North Sinai, Major General Khaled Megahed

Medical staff also informed her about emergency medical care protocols and the coordination mechanisms in place for transferring critical cases.

Mujawer thanked Jolie: "Your visit is very important in this very critical time."

Translation: We're not afraid and we'll enter a thousand times.. Impactful words from an aid truck driver to Hollywood star Angelina Jolie at the Rafah crossing

Tel Aviv is expected to reopen the Rafah crossing in both directions after US President Donald Trump raised the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli media reported this week. 

Although the Rafah crossing was supposed to reopen as part of the 10 October ceasefire agreement, Israel said it would only open the crossing for Palestinians to exit the Gaza Strip.