U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday, March 1 revealed intentions to launch first military airdrop of supplies and food in Gaza.
Biden hinted at the plan a day after the deaths of Palestinians waiting in line for help, exposed the dire humanitarian situation that is unfolding in the densely populated coastal enclave.
Without providing any further details, Biden stated that the U.S. airdrop would occur in the next several days.
Other countries including Jordan and France have already used airdrops of aid into Gaza.
“We need to do more, and the United States will do more,” Biden told reporters.
“Aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough,” the head of state added.
White House Spokesman John Kirby emphasized that airdrops would turn into a continuous endeavor for Gaza’s citizens.
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He also stated that military MREs “meals ready to eat,” would probably be the first cargo dropped by air.
“This isn’t going to be one and done,” Kirby said.
Situation in Gaza
According to statistics by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, at least 576,000 individuals in the Gaza Strip—roughly 25% of the enclave’s population—are just one step away from starvation.
More than a hundred people were killed by Israeli forces on February 29, 2024, according to Gaza health officials, while they were attempting to approach a relief convoy close to Gaza City.
Nearly five months after the conflict broke out on October 7 due to an attack on Israel by Hamas, the Palestinians are facing an increasingly catastrophic situation.
Israel said that most of the fatalities were caused by throngs of people swarming toward relief trucks, trampled, or run over.
Additionally, according to an Israeli official, troops had fired on crowds they believed to be a threat “in a limited response” later.
UN statement
The United Nations (UN) has stated that it faces “overwhelming obstacles” in delivering help, with families turning to animal feed and even cacti for survival and medical professionals reporting that children are dying in hospitals from starvation and dehydration.
The C-17 and C-130 are the most appropriate aircraft for the task. Despite this it is unknown which kind will be employed.
Airdrops may be carried out successfully by the US military. This is according to retired three-star general David Deptula. Deptula oversaw the no-fly zone over northern Iraq.
“It is something that’s right up their mission alley,” Deptula said.
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In addition, the retired general touched on the challenges awaiting the mission.
“There are a lot of detailed challenges. But there’s nothing insurmountable,” Deptula added.
Biden expressed hope on peace by the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on March 10. He hoped that it would enhance aid, as anticipated by the United States and other parties.
