Flying above the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, a Jordanian military aircraft parachuted food crates to starving civilians as part of an emergency relief effort. The mission, joined by a second aircraft from the United Arab Emirates, released packages of sugar, pulses, and baby milk into areas devastated by nearly 22 months of war and a crippling blockade. The aid drop comes as more than two million Palestinians face extreme food shortages.
During the operation, the Jordanian crew whispered prayers while pushing food pallets out of the aircraft’s rear hatch. Parachutes carrying crates marked with Jordan’s flag floated down to the ground. Although journalists aboard the flight could film the airdrop, they were restricted from capturing images of the widespread destruction across Gaza. The flight took off from a base near Amman and remained over Palestinian territory for only a few minutes.
Other nations have also joined the effort. The United Kingdom carried out its first airdrop earlier this week, and France plans to deliver 40 tonnes of aid starting Friday. Despite these efforts, aid agencies warn that airdrops are not enough to meet Gaza’s dire needs. They insist that overland access must be restored to deliver large-scale, consistent aid.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as the worst in modern history. He urged the international community to do more, stating current aid levels are severely inadequate. The pilot of the Jordanian aircraft said he could see desperate civilians tracking the planes from the ground, a clear sign of how badly food and help are needed.
The United Nations has echoed these concerns. On Tuesday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared that a worst-case famine scenario is unfolding in Gaza. UN agencies including the World Food Programme and UNICEF warned that time is running out and called for daily, large-scale food deliveries without interruption.
In response to global criticism, Israel recently agreed to pause daytime hostilities in selected areas to allow humanitarian access. However, UN officials stress that much more is needed to prevent mass starvation. The situation in Gaza remains critical, and aid must reach those in need immediately.