WASHINGTON: US and Jordanian aircraft conducted food supply airdrops to Palestinian civilians stranded in the besieged Gaza Strip, US Central Command said in a statement on Saturday.
The operation involved a US Air Force C-130 aircraft and a Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130 aircraft dropping food supplies to alleviate the dire situation faced by Gazans. This initiative comes as the main UN agency operating in the enclave reported that one in three children under the age of two is acutely malnourished, raising concerns of an impending famine.
US Central Command emphasized that the airdrops are part of a sustained effort, with plans for further aerial deliveries in the pipeline.
Gaza, which has endured extensive destruction, is grappling with serious food shortages more than five months after Israel initiated an air and ground offensive on October 7. The situation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, prompting urgent calls for increased aid.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, along with other nations, has urged Israel to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian assistance into Gaza. However, Israel has blamed UN agencies for slow aid deliveries, asserting that it imposes no restrictions on humanitarian assistance.
The United States initiated aid airdrops on March 2 and is now preparing to commence a sealift operation from the island of Cyprus.
