Israel will begin allowing foreign countries to airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza starting Friday, according to a report by Israeli Army Radio citing a military official. The move comes amid growing international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
While an Israeli military spokesperson has not confirmed the development in response to requests for comment, the decision marks a notable shift in the delivery of aid since Israel’s months-long blockade that severely limited food, water, and medical supplies entering Gaza.
The Gaza health ministry says more than 100 people have died from starvation since March, when Israel cut off supplies to the territory as part of its ongoing war with Hamas. Though the blockade was eased in May, Israel has continued to enforce restrictions on aid, citing concerns that humanitarian supplies could be diverted to armed groups.
Despite these measures, conditions on the ground remain dire. The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, treated 5,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition in Gaza during just the first two weeks of July.
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently condemned the humanitarian situation, calling it “man-made mass starvation” and blaming continued aid blockades for worsening the crisis.
The war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more. Humanitarian organisations and foreign governments have repeatedly called for unhindered access to Gaza to prevent further civilian suffering.
The planned airdrops, if implemented, could offer a lifeline to many in desperate need — but experts warn that without sustained and large-scale aid delivery, the region’s food crisis will continue to deepen.
Melissa Enoch
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