The United States has conducted its inaugural airdrop of aid for Gaza, delivering over 30,000 meals through three military aircraft.
This operation, executed in collaboration with the Jordanian air force, was confirmed by the US Central Command.
The airdrop initiative follows President Joe Biden’s announcement on Friday, pledging increased assistance to Gaza in response to the tragic death of over 100 individuals who sought aid from a convoy on Thursday.
According to the US Central Command, C-130s released more than 38,000 meals along Gaza’s coastline in the first wave of aid distribution.
“This initiative forms part of an ongoing endeavor to augment aid delivery to Gaza, including efforts to enhance the transportation of aid through land corridors and routes,” stated the US Central Command.
While other nations such as Britain, France, Egypt, and Jordan have previously conducted similar airdrop missions in Gaza, this marks the United States’ first involvement in such operations.
President Biden, in his statement on Friday, emphasized the US’s commitment to ensuring increased aid access to Gaza, urging Israel to facilitate additional trucks and routes for aid distribution.
Thursday’s tragic incident resulted in the loss of 112 lives and left over 760 individuals injured as they gathered around aid vehicles. Hamas accused Israel of targeting civilians, while Israel maintained that most casualties occurred due to a stampede following warning shots fired.
The mounting fatalities have prompted calls for an international inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
