A pallet of aid that was airdropped into Gaza as part of a humanitarian airdrop has struck five people, killing them and injuring at least ten more. The United States says it was not American airdrops that caused these deaths.
US Central Command refuted the reports Friday, saying on X, “We are aware of reports of civilians killed as a result of humanitarian airdrops. We express sympathies to the families of those who were killed. Contrary to some reports, this was not the result of U.S. airdrops.”
According to reports out of Gaza, the parachute mechanism failed, causing falling aid packages to strike and kill at least five Palestinians while injuring more, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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Among the nations that have conducted airdrops in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are living in appalling conditions following over five months of conflict, are the US and Jordan.
A Jordanian military source said that none of the four aircraft from the kingdom that participated in the operation were connected to the deaths, despite a US defense official telling AFP that “the US did not cause the fatalities during our airdrop in Gaza.”
On March 5, the United States, in its second round of airdrops, delivered 36,800 meals ready-to-eat (MRE) to the Gaza Strip. This operation, conducted by the U.S. Air Force cargo planes in coordination with the Jordanian Air Force, aimed to provide essential relief to the civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.
The airdrop, announced by U.S. Central Command, emphasized the significance of these missions in addressing the immediate needs of the people in Gaza.
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The Biden administration’s decision to initiate airdrops in Gaza stems from the dire humanitarian situation caused by the ongoing conflict.
The people of Gaza have been grappling with a severe hunger problem for the past five months, and the airdrops aim to alleviate their suffering.
While some criticize the airdrops as insufficient and symbolic, given the scale of the hunger problem, the U.S. Central Command believes they provide essential relief to the affected civilians.
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The U.S. Central Command has announced plans for additional airdrop missions in Gaza. These future missions aim to provide ongoing assistance to the affected civilians and contribute to mitigating the hunger crisis.
While airdrops may not be a comprehensive solution, they serve as a vital lifeline for those in immediate need. Efforts to secure further cooperation and support from Israel and other stakeholders will be crucial in addressing the long-term challenges faced by the people of Gaza.
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