Gaza: The focus on air drops into Gaza is a “grotesque distraction” that will not reverse the territory’s deepening starvation crisis, aid agency leaders have warned. Israel’s military announced humanitarian aid air drops into the Gaza Strip, alongside humanitarian corridors for UN aid convoys.
According to BBC, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan are expected to conduct air drops in the coming days, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer committing everything possible to get aid to Gaza via air drops. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported an additional five deaths due to malnutrition on Saturday, bringing the total to 127 since the war began, including 85 children.
The World Food Programme has highlighted that one in three Gazans are not eating for days and 90,000 women and children urgently need treatment amid what is described as a “man-made mass starvation.” The debate over air drops has emerged mainly due to the failure of aid to enter Gaza through traditional land routes.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa, criticized air drops as “expensive, inefficient, and potentially deadly” for civilians if they go wrong. He noted his organization has “the equivalent of 6,000 trucks” in Jordan and Egypt, awaiting entry into Gaza and emphasized the need for political action.
Despite Israel’s announcement of “designated humanitarian corridors,” it remains unclear where they will be or how they will function. Israel claims no restrictions on aid entry, whereas the UN cites bureaucratic obstacles by Israel as hindering aid collection inside Gaza.
Hamas denies allegations of aid theft, with a recent USAID report finding no evidence of systematic looting. Past air drop attempts have provided limited relief, with aid agencies warning that the quantities delivered fall short of addressing mass starvation risks.
BBC analysis indicates that approximately 160 planes would be required to deliver a single meal for each of Gaza’s two million residents. Jordan and the UAE possess only a limited number of C-130 aircraft.
Several aid groups have flagged the dangers of air drops in densely populated Gaza. Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council reported incidents of aid crates causing injuries and chaos during distribution.
Palestinians face dehydration alongside starvation, with many expressing concerns about the risks associated with air drops. One Gazan mother described living without basic necessities like food and water.
The ongoing conflict began with Israel’s war in Gaza, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 59,000 people have died in Gaza since, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel’s blockade, aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages, has exacerbated shortages despite partial easing. Most Gazans have faced repeated displacement, with significant damage to homes.