The US has conducted its first airdrop of humanitarian aid for Gaza, with more than 30, 000 meals parachuted in by three military planes. The operation, carried out in collaboration with Jordan’s air force, was the first of many announced by President Joe Biden. He pledged to increase aid following the deaths of at least 112 people when crowds rushed a convoy on Thursday.
The airdrop comes as a top US official stated that the framework of a deal for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza was in place. The Biden administration official mentioned on Saturday that Israel had “more or less accepted” a deal for a new ceasefire.
The unnamed official stated, “It will be a six-week ceasefire in Gaza starting today if Hamas agrees to release the defined category of vulnerable hostages, including the sick, the wounded, the elderly, and women.”
Mediators are scheduled to reconvene in Cairo on Sunday. Egyptian officials stated that delegations from both Hamas and Israel are expected to attend the negotiations. One official mentioned that certain technical issues regarding a potential deal still need to be resolved, such as the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel in exchange for hostages held by Hamas.
On Saturday, C-130 transport planes dropped over 38, 000 meals along the Gaza coastline, as reported by US Central Command. “These airdrops are part of a continuous effort to increase aid delivery to Gaza, including by expanding aid flow through land corridors and routes,” the statement added. Other countries, such as the UK, France, Egypt, and Jordan, have previously conducted aid airdrops in Gaza, but this marks the first such action by the US.
Administration officials stated that Thursday’s “tragic incident” underscored the importance of increasing and maintaining the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza to address the dire humanitarian situation. Aid agencies have noted that airdrops are an inefficient method of delivering aid.
Displaced Gaza resident Medhat Taher told Reuters news agency that such a method was woefully inadequate. “Will this be enough for a school? Is this sufficient for 10, 000 people?” he questioned. He suggested, “It would be more effective to send aid through crossings rather than airdropping via parachutes.”
In his statement on Friday, President Biden said the U. S. would “insist that Israel facilitate more trucks and routes to provide necessary assistance to more people.” Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz in Washington on Monday to discuss a truce and other matters, according to a White House official quoted by Reuters.
In Thursday’s incident, 112 people were killed and more than 760 were injured as they crowded around aid lorries on the southwestern edge of Gaza City. Hamas accused Israel of firing at civilians, but Israel stated that most died in a crush after it fired warning shots.
The health ministry reports over 30, 000 deaths in Gaza, with 7, 000 missing and over 70, 450 injured.
Adam Clark
Adam Clark AKA “Ruckus” is the host and producer of The Daily Ruckus, a news and opinion based podcast that started out as a hobby but eventually became a regular show featured on Alternate Current Radio.
A self-described Jack-of-all-trades, he is a business and marketing consultant, graphic designer, webmaster, content creator, media analyst, and prolific commentator. Adam’s interests are in cryptohistory, media, current events, science & technology, and avoiding contact with sharks.
