![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3EBI7L4HMZD6HJIQTAHQB5CHUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8efc8e66c39e03bc12e4a0bef0087e76bfc665c050d03a83b0444ec30f4f325&width=400&height=225)
Colourful designs adorn many lorries carrying aid into Gaza
An aid lorry driver at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza prepares to travel into the enclave. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7TUDQE6PMVH6PHEDLU2247EIG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d18c049e21842dfba0a5c0687f925a79bb49edb43a94730105d8e941b1d33997&width=400&height=225)
Lorries are often decorated with graphics and stickers to help identify them
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WN4SMEKK6VBGLLS4T7RAO6JP5A.jpg?smart=true&auth=24b07e596d435f3be45b1230cd30508eea9997d4821788f1c973a718362f375d&width=400&height=225)
Many drivers keep basic supplies, including coffee, tea, fruit and bread, next to their trailers while they wait
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPNDUTMLWREKTA43YP36U2R2RE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2055d560d2d14a3531f3e71fb75669a2b1b736bf236011061e485b8166154e0c&width=400&height=225)
Lorry driver Ahmed Ghoury waits to take aid from the UAE into Gaza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/25WU4ITHLNGBZMRQTPKNK2YFMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ece02d293e098d94997f9557f7bed7f5282c1cf9965de25dc7d3f16dce21d7b4&width=400&height=225)
Colourful stickers decorate an aid lorry at the Rafah crossing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FW5XW4EBJBFLHF6WOCLYKW5T2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=8cc104e316dcf7631a1cbc0c28f459ffdc6ff55074fb187f8594f24669ad55c6&width=400&height=225)
Drivers use LPG stoves to prepare meals at the crossing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKWZB43BO5HD7FS5R7V3IUFRJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=098dfa879ef9c41518611b287bf3e09e3714d68dc8f1960e48127c26c73a5933&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Khaled was one of the drivers waiting to transport aid from the UAE into Gaza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7Y6TJ3TINGAFDTGMXJVMZP4UI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b21a631bae4e1329e2ff93877b1592ec34fe6d76da07cb67df3f4631b1a064fa&width=400&height=225)
He prepares a drink at the side of his lorry
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NUM7VL7RMVFLTJB7ALBUT6SVAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=60db8be2e899dee1d9dd68ee2501f3bd4b2be6e84c64643ff0bad5bb906be8d2&width=400&height=225)
A driver freshens up before driving aid across the border from Egypt
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EC3KSWWMX5CMBACJUQCXAD4CRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a75eed64b878a24de6afcb44a1ef05480d50ce90244f5073f108b453a8e870f&width=400&height=225)
Drivers in the aid convoys also decorate the interiors of their cabins
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6IFHPBWURZA23B4SNGALP4TKBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=61ee4054e76e75bb2396d92e850a652136bc806fc8147c089465da5ccbaebebd&width=400&height=225)
Aid lorries often face a long wait at the border crossing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WPPMNQ7YLJFL5AFNPGYY3H2JBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=964ba75758ab82e9bcb6c86a230c6c4984061842bba1c85086631d450c692a13&width=400&height=225)
Decorations on an aid lorry in Rafah. The designs distinguish the vehicles in the convoys
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AA44XB7CJRA7PC64Z3T5FVJK2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=84e7ace25acf10ab9ca11e196e8ce08cd0ccd03acc396a5b87b5a39db407d39a&width=400&height=225)
Drivers keep basic supplies, including vegetables, close at hand
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T2J6SM4U25EGTF6BF3DWKULONQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=951804e32fe20cc25246bd1aa71954954f4afbb1ab0f27bd3f6ca7b267d697a5&width=400&height=225)
Drivers are able to heat water to make tea or coffee while they wait to cross into the besieged enclave
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RTQOU7E27JDXHLXTTJWT6FBRFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=78d58d3dee62766bad8d2db8dd1493a13edb79e14e71324fb376ab15513ed755&width=400&height=225)
Aid has been sent to Gaza since the start of the war, but authorities say much more is needed
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HGHW3FNRSFEVJIKLW3ITWKSFFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=482a69f5cb96a87dc153610c896813cb48cb6364a5181173be35871bb380f86f&width=400&height=225)
Aid deliveries are a lifeline for Gazans who have fled the violence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3EBI7L4HMZD6HJIQTAHQB5CHUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8efc8e66c39e03bc12e4a0bef0087e76bfc665c050d03a83b0444ec30f4f325&width=400&height=225)
Colourful designs adorn many lorries carrying aid into Gaza
An aid lorry driver at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza prepares to travel into the enclave. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7TUDQE6PMVH6PHEDLU2247EIG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d18c049e21842dfba0a5c0687f925a79bb49edb43a94730105d8e941b1d33997&width=400&height=225)
Lorries are often decorated with graphics and stickers to help identify them
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WN4SMEKK6VBGLLS4T7RAO6JP5A.jpg?smart=true&auth=24b07e596d435f3be45b1230cd30508eea9997d4821788f1c973a718362f375d&width=400&height=225)
Many drivers keep basic supplies, including coffee, tea, fruit and bread, next to their trailers while they wait
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPNDUTMLWREKTA43YP36U2R2RE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2055d560d2d14a3531f3e71fb75669a2b1b736bf236011061e485b8166154e0c&width=400&height=225)
Lorry driver Ahmed Ghoury waits to take aid from the UAE into Gaza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/25WU4ITHLNGBZMRQTPKNK2YFMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ece02d293e098d94997f9557f7bed7f5282c1cf9965de25dc7d3f16dce21d7b4&width=400&height=225)
Colourful stickers decorate an aid lorry at the Rafah crossing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FW5XW4EBJBFLHF6WOCLYKW5T2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=8cc104e316dcf7631a1cbc0c28f459ffdc6ff55074fb187f8594f24669ad55c6&width=400&height=225)
Drivers use LPG stoves to prepare meals at the crossing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKWZB43BO5HD7FS5R7V3IUFRJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=098dfa879ef9c41518611b287bf3e09e3714d68dc8f1960e48127c26c73a5933&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Khaled was one of the drivers waiting to transport aid from the UAE into Gaza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7Y6TJ3TINGAFDTGMXJVMZP4UI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b21a631bae4e1329e2ff93877b1592ec34fe6d76da07cb67df3f4631b1a064fa&width=400&height=225)
He prepares a drink at the side of his lorry
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NUM7VL7RMVFLTJB7ALBUT6SVAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=60db8be2e899dee1d9dd68ee2501f3bd4b2be6e84c64643ff0bad5bb906be8d2&width=400&height=225)
A driver freshens up before driving aid across the border from Egypt
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EC3KSWWMX5CMBACJUQCXAD4CRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a75eed64b878a24de6afcb44a1ef05480d50ce90244f5073f108b453a8e870f&width=400&height=225)
Drivers in the aid convoys also decorate the interiors of their cabins
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6IFHPBWURZA23B4SNGALP4TKBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=61ee4054e76e75bb2396d92e850a652136bc806fc8147c089465da5ccbaebebd&width=400&height=225)
Aid lorries often face a long wait at the border crossing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WPPMNQ7YLJFL5AFNPGYY3H2JBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=964ba75758ab82e9bcb6c86a230c6c4984061842bba1c85086631d450c692a13&width=400&height=225)
Decorations on an aid lorry in Rafah. The designs distinguish the vehicles in the convoys
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AA44XB7CJRA7PC64Z3T5FVJK2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=84e7ace25acf10ab9ca11e196e8ce08cd0ccd03acc396a5b87b5a39db407d39a&width=400&height=225)
Drivers keep basic supplies, including vegetables, close at hand
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T2J6SM4U25EGTF6BF3DWKULONQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=951804e32fe20cc25246bd1aa71954954f4afbb1ab0f27bd3f6ca7b267d697a5&width=400&height=225)
Drivers are able to heat water to make tea or coffee while they wait to cross into the besieged enclave
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RTQOU7E27JDXHLXTTJWT6FBRFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=78d58d3dee62766bad8d2db8dd1493a13edb79e14e71324fb376ab15513ed755&width=400&height=225)
Aid has been sent to Gaza since the start of the war, but authorities say much more is needed
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HGHW3FNRSFEVJIKLW3ITWKSFFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=482a69f5cb96a87dc153610c896813cb48cb6364a5181173be35871bb380f86f&width=400&height=225)
Aid deliveries are a lifeline for Gazans who have fled the violence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3EBI7L4HMZD6HJIQTAHQB5CHUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8efc8e66c39e03bc12e4a0bef0087e76bfc665c050d03a83b0444ec30f4f325&width=400&height=225)
Colourful designs adorn many lorries carrying aid into Gaza