The United States through the Department of Defense and in support of Jordanian Royal Air Force worked together air dropped 38,000 ready-to-eat meals into Gaza over the weekend.
This was confirmed by State Department Spokesman, Mathew Miller during a Press Briefing on Monday stating that the United States remain extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Recalling the last week’s incident in northern Gaza which he said made it painfully clear, that people are desperate for food, for water, for medicine, adding that Parents are facing impossible choices about how to feed their children.
Miller said, “Many don’t know where the next meal will come from, or if it will come at all. The situation is simply intolerable. And that’s why the United States is focused on increasing and sustaining aid in Gaza through as many channels as possible”.
He revealed that this operation was made out of Jordan, which saw a United States contribution of 66 bundles of aid, packed across three C-130 aircraft, delivered to those in dire need.
The Spokesman made it known that this air drop was the first in a series the Department of Defense will be conducting, “but I want to be clear about one thing: these air drops are intended to supplement, not replace, aid through other mechanisms.
“We are also actively pursuing options to establish a maritime assistance corridor. We are in discussion with a number of partners about this initiative, and while it is still in the development phase, we are optimistic about its potential to supplement our air and land efforts”.
He said United States will continue to work to increase amount of aid flowing through existing border crossings at Rafah, Kerem Shalom and to press the Govt of Israel to open additional crossings and routes into Gaza.
“Even as we explore other means of delivery, it is critical to maximize aid flowing into Gaza over land. When it comes to distribution inside Gaza, over the past week, the ability of the UN and other humanitarian implementers to distribute assistance within central and south Gaza has improved.
“While over 100 trucks a day of humanitarian assistance are now being distributed to those in need, this level is still significantly below the levels needed to meet minimum requirements to avert famine”.
Speaking of northern Gaza, he said United States remain concerned at the increasing severity of the humanitarian situation. While private sector convoys have attempted to deliver assistance.
“And some have been successful, these efforts are not and cannot be a replacement for large-scale assistance to the north distributed by the UN. We will continue to press the Government of Israel to facilitate increased deliveries to the north.
“Our goal is clear: to establish a comprehensive aid strategy that includes air, land, and sea routes to maximize the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensure that aid is distributed to everyone in Gaza who needs it.
He assured that United States will continue to push for a temporary ceasefire through a hostage agreement that would allow a massive surge of aid into Gaza
“And ease the distribution problems that are currently hindering humanitarian efforts. A deal is on the table, a deal that would bring the hostages home and that would alleviate terrible suffering of the Palestinian people. Hamas should accept it immediately”, the Spokesman concluded.
