GAZA CITY — The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has executed a series of airdrops to deliver humanitarian aid into northern Gaza amid ongoing conflict, aiming to alleviate severe shortages faced by the civilian population there.
According to Philippines News Agency, the operation was carried out on Tuesday using two C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft, along with U.S. Army soldiers specialized in aerial delivery. The latest mission saw over 25,300 US meal equivalents dropped into the area. CENTCOM also reported that to date, the U.S. has delivered a total of 891 tons of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
This humanitarian effort comes in the context of a significant escalation following a cross-border attack by Hamas last October, which resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths. The ongoing conflict has led to over 33,800 Palestinian casualties and has displaced 85 percent of Gaza’s population due to widespread destruction and the critical lack of necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has recently been involved, issuing a ruling in January concerning allegations against Israel and emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid delivery to the civilians in Gaza.