Israel resumes airdropped humanitarian aid to Gaza

Reuters

The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it has resumed airdropped humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, just days after more than 100 international aid agencies warned of spreading mass starvation in the besieged enclave.

According to the statement, seven pallets of aid containing flour, sugar, and canned food, supplied by international organisations, were delivered by air. Palestinian sources confirmed that the airdrops had reached northern Gaza.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) also stated that designated humanitarian corridors would be established to ensure the safe passage of UN aid convoys, and that temporary humanitarian pauses would be implemented in densely populated areas.

The decision comes amid growing international criticism accusing Israel of restricting aid access to Gaza. The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has described the crisis as a “man-made mass starvation”.

Israel, which halted all supplies to Gaza in early March and re-opened border access under new restrictions in May, insists it remains committed to allowing aid in – but under strict controls to prevent it falling into the hands of militant groups. It blames Hamas for the humanitarian suffering of Gaza’s 2.2 million displaced residents.

The Israeli military has also accused the United Nations of delays in aid distribution, claiming that some 700 truckloads of humanitarian supplies remain idle inside Gaza.

“The IDF emphasises that there is no starvation in Gaza; this is a false narrative promoted by Hamas,” Saturday’s statement said.

“Responsibility for the distribution of aid lies with the United Nations and international organisations. These bodies are expected to improve the effectiveness of aid delivery and ensure it does not reach Hamas.”

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 125 people, including at least 85 children, have died due to malnutrition.

France, Amnesty International, and other international actors have expressed concern over the lack of humanitarian access to Gaza. While Israel has been accused of restricting airspace for aid operations, the government maintains that it continues to facilitate humanitarian missions.

With more than 2.2 million people displaced inside the enclave, the flow of humanitarian aid remains significantly limited.

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