Angelina Jolie Highlights Gaza Crisis with Visit to Rafah Crossing

Emphasizing Humanitarian Role as a UN Goodwill Ambassador
A Symbolic Visit Amid Controversy Over Aid Organization Regulations

Hollywood actress and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing, the gateway to the Gaza Strip, on the 2nd (local time) to directly assess the status of humanitarian aid.

Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing, the gateway to the Gaza Strip, on the 2nd (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to AFP, Jolie visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing that day, where she met with officials from the Red Crescent (a relief organization similar to the Red Cross in Islamic countries) and truck drivers transporting relief supplies to hear firsthand about the situation on the ground. The visit was reportedly aimed at checking on the condition of Palestinian casualties from the Gaza Strip who had been transferred to Egypt and ensuring that the delivery of relief supplies was proceeding smoothly. Jolie has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and a former Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

This visit drew even more attention as it took place just after Israel significantly tightened regulations on international relief organizations operating in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The previous day, Israel implemented new rules targeting numerous humanitarian organizations, requiring aid workers to submit personal information. Those who fail to comply will have their qualifications suspended and must cease local activities within 60 days.

Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing, the gateway to the Gaza Strip, on the 2nd (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Due to these regulations, a total of 37 organizations, including Oxfam, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), ActionAid, M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), and the Norwegian Refugee Council, are reportedly struggling to continue their operations.

Concerns have also been raised by the international community. On the same day, the foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries-Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Pakistan, T?rkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar-issued a joint statement urging Israel to guarantee the continued humanitarian activities of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They emphasized the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and highlighted the need for international responsibility.

Jolie has consistently visited conflict zones in person. In November of last year, she visited Ukraine and met with civilians affected by the war, sharing the local situation and appealing to the international community for the protection of civilians in conflict areas. Her recent visit to the Rafah crossing is also interpreted as an effort to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.