GAZA STRIP: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has called for an immediate halt to aid airdrops in Gaza following the deaths of at least 18 people in incidents related to the airdrops.
“We demand the immediate cessation of airdrop operations and the swift opening of land crossings to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to our Palestinian people,” Hamas stated.
Out of 18 fatalities, 12 people were drowned in the sea off the northern Gaza Strip, while six others died in a stampede while attempting to access aid, the local media office reported.
“The aid airdrops pose a real threat to the lives of hungry Palestinians,” the statement warned.
Highlighting the significant risk posed by the aid airdrops to the lives of vulnerable Palestinians, Hamas said that some aid packages landed in the sea, inside Israel, or in conflict zones, further endangering people’s lives.
The ongoing blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza, particularly in the north, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, pushing many residents to the brink of starvation.
In response to Israel’s sustained siege, several countries-initiated airdrop operations to deliver essential humanitarian assistance to various parts of Gaza and prevent famine.
More than 32,333 Palestinians have since been killed and over 74,694 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities in Israeli attacks snice October 7 last year.
