The US military carries out its first aid drop over Gaza, March 2, 2024. REUTERS/Kosay Al Nemer
The United States military executed its inaugural humanitarian aid airdrop into Gaza on Saturday, as confirmed by U.S. officials. Simultaneously, aid organizations expressed concern about an escalating humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, amidst Israel’s continued offensive.
Three C-130 planes were utilized to deliver over 38,000 meals to a region where the United Nations reports that a quarter of the population is on the brink of famine. Social media platforms featured videos posted by Palestinians, depicting the airdropped aid. A U.S. official informed Reuters that the airdrops were conducted over southwestern Gaza and the town of Mawasi.
The White House affirmed that these airdrops would be an ongoing initiative, and Israel endorsed the operation. However, critics argue that airdrops have limited efficacy and pose challenges in preventing supplies from falling into the hands of militants.
As talks in Egypt are scheduled to resume on Sunday, a senior U.S. official indicated that the framework for a six-week ceasefire deal was in place, contingent upon Hamas agreeing to release hostages. The official cautioned against setting premature expectations regarding the outcome.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House on Monday, according to a White House official.
In Jerusalem, thousands of Israelis marched demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The demonstrators, led by families of hostages taken during Hamas’ deadly October 7th rampage through southern Israel, arrived in the city at sundown.
In Gaza, the health ministry reported at least 11 Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, where people sought sanctuary from the military offensive. Another 50 individuals were wounded in the strike near a hospital in the Tel Al-Sultan area of Rafah. The Israeli military has not immediately responded to requests for comments.
The strike exacerbated an already dire situation, with more than a million Palestinians seeking refuge in the Rafah area, fleeing the extensive Israeli offensive that has resulted in over 30,000 casualties, as reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health authorities. The offensive was launched in response to the October 7th attack by Hamas, leading to 1,200 deaths in Israel and the abduction of 253 individuals, according to Israeli tallies.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope for a ceasefire by the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on March 10th. International pressure for a ceasefire has intensified, with the United Nations warning that over 500,000 of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are on the verge of famine.
In the northern Gaza Strip area of Beit Hanoun, three individuals searching for food were reportedly killed by Israeli strikes on Saturday, according to residents and medics. Thirteen children at the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza have died in the past three days due to dehydration and malnutrition, with doctors expressing concern for others at risk.
Plans for the U.S. airdrop were unveiled by President Biden on Friday, following the deaths of Palestinians waiting for aid, bringing attention to the humanitarian crisis. Gaza health authorities attributed 118 deaths to Israeli fire, labeling it a massacre, while Israel disputed the figures, stating that most victims were trampled or run over.
Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by mediators such as Egypt and Qatar, are set to resume in Cairo on Sunday, according to Egyptian sources. However, an Israeli report questioned this possibility, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive list of hostages before Israeli participation. Gaps persist regarding the number of hostages to be released from Gaza and Palestinians to be freed by Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli military operations have intensified, resulting in at least 358 casualties since October 7th, according to U.N. records. On Saturday, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported the death of a 16-year-old boy near Ramallah, allegedly shot by Israeli forces during routine activities in Kafr Ni’ma. The Israeli military asserted that their forces responded to rock and explosive attacks with live fire, hitting one person.
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