Saudi Arabia and Jordan Join Forces to Airdrop Food Aid to Gaza
In a humanitarian effort to assist besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Saudi Arabia and Jordan collaborated to airdrop 30 tonnes of ready-to-eat food. The Saudi aid agency KSrelief, in partnership with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization and the Jordanian Hashemite Armed Forces, conducted the airdrop to provide immediate relief to those in need.
The food supplies dropped by air were specifically chosen for their suitability for immediate consumption without the need for heating. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, director general of KSrelief, emphasized the importance of this initiative in light of the closure of border crossings by the Israeli occupation forces, which had previously hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
While airdrops have proven to be an effective method of providing aid in emergency situations, Al-Rabeeah stressed the necessity of opening border crossings to ensure sustainable access to essential supplies. Despite the challenges, KSrelief’s campaign for Palestinians has been successful in collecting over $184 million to support relief efforts. Additionally, the Kingdom has operated an air bridge consisting of 54 planes and a sea bridge consisting of eight ships to facilitate aid delivery.
The US military also contributed to the humanitarian efforts by constructing a temporary sea port in Gaza for aid delivery. However, inclement weather conditions have posed challenges, making the sea port unstable during stormy seas.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the displacement of more than 2 million Palestinians since Israel’s full-scale war in response to an attack by Hamas militants in October 2023. The toll on human lives has been devastating, with official Israeli figures reporting 1,200 casualties and approximately 250 hostages taken during the conflict. Gaza health officials have confirmed that more than 38,000 Palestinians have lost their lives as a result of the conflict.
The destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to a healthcare emergency with a rise in communicable diseases, particularly among children. The education system in Gaza has also been severely impacted, bringing it to a standstill and depriving children of access to essential learning opportunities.
As the situation in Gaza remains dire, the collaborative efforts of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other aid agencies play a crucial role in providing much-needed support to the affected population. While airdrops offer immediate relief, long-term solutions are essential to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The call for the opening of border crossings underscores the importance of ensuring sustained access to humanitarian aid for those in need.