On Friday, President Joe Biden announced plans for the inaugural military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza, responding to the humanitarian crisis highlighted by Palestinians awaiting relief. The US airdrop, set to begin in the next few days, follows similar efforts by France and Jordan. President Biden emphasized the need for increased aid to Gaza, stating, “We need to do more, and the United States will do more.”
Details on the airdrop were limited, but White House spokesperson John Kirby assured that it would become a sustained effort. Military MREs (“meals ready to eat”) are likely to be the initial cargo. President Biden also mentioned exploring the possibility of a marine route for substantial aid transport to Gaza.
The UN reports that 25% of Gaza’s population, around 576,000 residents, are at risk of starvation. Gaza’s health authorities claimed over a hundred Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces near Gaza City while attempting to approach a rescue convoy on Thursday. Israel stated that most deaths resulted from people swarming relief trucks, with some being trampled or run over. Israeli troops allegedly fired on crowds perceived as a threat.
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Amid overwhelming obstacles in aid delivery, families in Gaza are resorting to unconventional sources for survival. The UN highlighted the dire situation, with reports of children dying in hospitals from starvation and dehydration.
The US is considering airdrops using C-17 and C-130 aircraft, although doubts persist about the efficacy of this approach. An anonymous US official acknowledged that airdrops might only marginally alleviate suffering, emphasizing that opening up land borders is crucial to addressing the root cause. The official also noted challenges, as the US lacks troops on the ground to ensure aid doesn’t reach Hamas.
Furthermore, there are considerations of sending aid by sea from Cyprus, responding to both domestic and international pressures. The Biden administration is evaluating various options to provide meaningful assistance.
