Biden announces airdrop aid to Gaza amid Israeli restrictions
Biden announced the plans to begin air drops of humanitarian aid at the beginning of a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, stating that the first flights will start "in the coming days". He declared that the USA is determined to help the suffering civilians and "will stop at nothing" to do so, and also stated that the current flow of aid to Gaza is insufficient.
The announcement comes at a time when Israeli bombings and restrictions at border crossings with the Gaza Strip are limiting the possibilities of humanitarian aid deliveries to the enclave, which, according to the UN, is on the verge of famine. Similarly, Jordan has already delivered aid, with its air force dropping approximately 33 tonnes of food on Thursday.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby announced that the US will cooperate with Jordan and that it will not be a one-off flight. He also warned that, from his own military experience, he knows that "this is one of the most difficult military operations, because so many parameters have to be exactly right." The first deliveries will include food in the form of military food rations.
the last resort
As "The Washington Post" notes, humanitarian aid experts point out that this method of sending food is usually used as a last resort, because it is inefficient and expensive.
- I think that drops are the way of last resort to deliver aid - said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He added that it is not a solution for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. - The real answer is the opening of the border crossings - he added.
On Thursday, a tragedy occurred around a private humanitarian aid convoy in the northern part of the Gaza Strip when a crowd of Palestinians surrounded the vehicle with food supplies. According to local authorities, more than 100 people died, and over 700 were injured.
Biden, during his meeting with Meloni, stated that the USA continues to strive for a ceasefire that would allow for the release of hostages and the delivery of aid throughout the Gaza Strip. The Italian Prime Minister expressed her support for his efforts and stated that responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the highest priority for her government.
