Israel’s military announced it would initiate airdrops of humanitarian aid in Gaza starting Saturday night, alongside the establishment of humanitarian corridors for United Nations convoys. This decision comes amid escalating reports of deaths related to starvation, particularly as restrictions on aid have intensified over the past months.
International concern has surged, with calls for action from allies and humanitarian organisations, as recent weeks have seen numerous fatalities among Palestinians trying to access food distribution points. Despite the military’s claims that there is “no starvation” in the region, many witnesses report a dire situation: health workers are succumbing to hunger, and families are grappling with the realities of extreme malnutrition. Videos have emerged depicting parents with emaciated children and desperate attempts to secure food under fire.
Although details about the locations for airdrops and corridors remain unclear, Israeli officials stated that operational pauses would be enforced in densely populated areas. The military also emphasised that combat operations against Hamas would continue. The planned airdrops were said to include basic necessities like flour and canned goods, with coordination from international aid bodies.
Reports from Gaza indicate rising casualties; in one instance, at least 53 individuals were killed overnight amidst Israeli airstrikes and gunfire while seeking aid. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with crowds becoming targets as they rushed towards what they believed were aid trucks, only to find themselves caught in violence.
Jordan and other nations, including the UAE and the UK, are reportedly mobilising to assist with the aerial delivery of aid, particularly food and milk formula. However, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has raised concerns about the efficacy of such airdrops, highlighting that they may not sufficiently address the urgent needs on the ground.
Despite the military’s assertion of allowing unhindered aid access, many organisations point to prohibitive military restrictions and logistical challenges hindering effective distribution. Since the resumption of hostilities in March, more than 1000 Palestinians have reportedly died while trying to acquire food, often bordering on the new aid systems implemented by both international bodies and the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Calls for an end to the hostilities have intensified, with a coalition of Western nations and humanitarian groups urging Israel to reassess its blockade. The ongoing conflict has led to immense loss of life, with reports detailing that over 59,700 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated in October, with a significant proportion being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
As ceasefire negotiations struggle to progress, the urgency for compassionate aid and a diplomatic resolution remains critical amid the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.