In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, President Joe Biden announced on Friday plans for the United States (US) to conduct a military airdrop of food and supplies into the region.
The decision follows a recent surge in casualties, growing famine crisis, and a pressing need for assistance among the civilian population.
Biden Announces Airdrop Initiative
Palestinians children wait to collect food at a donation point in a refugee camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 23, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
During an Oval Office meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Biden made the announcement, stressing the critical nature of the situation.
"Aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough now - it's nowhere nearly enough. Innocent lives are on the line and children's lives are on the line," the US president stressed. "We should be getting hundreds of trucks in, not just several. We're going to pull out every stop we can."
He further underscored the severity of the crisis, expressing concern over the insufficient aid reaching Gaza and the dire consequences for its inhabitants.
The airdrop initiative aims to address the immediate needs of the population, which has been grappling with severe shortages of food and essential supplies. Jordan and France have already conducted similar operations, with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and others joining efforts to provide relief to the embattled region.
"We need to do more and the United States will do more," Biden affirmed, reflecting a commitment to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
The airdrops, set to commence "in the coming days," will be carried out by the US military from bases in the region. While specifics regarding the timing and logistics of the operation remain forthcoming, officials anticipate a sustained effort to deliver aid to Gaza.
John Kirby, White House National Security Council coordinator, reiterated the administration's commitment to providing assistance.
"You will see additional airdrops... We'll try to do this in a sustainable way over time. It will be a supplement to, not a replacement for, moving things in by ground," he told reporters.
Read Also: Strike in Gaza Kills, Injures Hundreds Waiting for Relief; Palestinian Death Toll Reaches 30,000
Intensifying Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds in Gaza
The decision to conduct airdrops comes amid mounting concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
According to the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, approximately one-quarter of the enclave's population is on the brink of famine, with access to essential resources severely restricted.
Despite calls for increased aid delivery and efforts to facilitate humanitarian access, only a fraction of the needed supplies has reached Gaza.
The US has urged Israel to allow more aid into the region, emphasizing the importance of addressing the immediate needs of the population.
However, challenges persist in delivering aid effectively, with concerns raised about the potential diversion of assistance and the limitations of airdrop operations. Critics argue that while airdrops may offer a temporary solution, they fall short of addressing the underlying causes of the crisis.
Scott Paul, who leads humanitarian policy at Oxfam America, cautioned that airdrops could provide only symbolic relief and called for more comprehensive measures to address the root causes of the crisis.
Paul stated that airdrops would primarily function to alleviate the feelings of guilt among high-ranking US officials, whose actions are exacerbating the ongoing atrocities and the threat of famine in Gaza.
The announcement of US airdrops comes in the wake of a deadly incident earlier in the week, where Palestinian health officials reported over 100 casualties as Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathered around a convoy of aid trucks in Gaza City.
Since the onset of Israel's conflict with Hamas nearly five months ago, health officials in the Gaza Strip have reported that more than 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with over 70,000 sustaining injuries.
The incident underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire and intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. With the situation in Gaza growing increasingly dire, the international community faces mounting pressure to take decisive action to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants.
Related Article: Food Aid Reaches North Gaza in First Major Delivery as UN Warns Worsening Starvation
