The UAE and Jordan conducted the 67th humanitarian aid drop
into Gaza, delivering vital food and relief supplies via air and land. This
operation forms part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts under Operation Gallant
Knight 3, aiming to alleviate severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
UAE and Jordan Lead Significant Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Gaza
As reported by The National, on Tuesday, the United ArabEmirates (UAE) and Jordan carried out the 67th drop of humanitarian aid into
the Gaza Strip, supported by seven aircraft from Germany, Italy, Belgium, and
France. This multinational collaboration highlights the ongoing international
effort to provide critical assistance to Gaza’s most affected regions amid the
ongoing crisis.
The aid shipment included vital supplies prepared with the
support of UAE-based charities. It was part of Operation Gallant Knight 3,
conducted under the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan. This operation focuses on delivering food and relief supplies to the
areas hardest hit by the conflict in Gaza.
Complementing Air Drops with Land Deliveries
In addition to the air drops, 20 lorries loaded with
approximately 500 tonnes of food entered Gaza through land crossings. This
delivery complements the aerial aid and marks the UAE’s continued effort to use
both land and air routes to support the population in Gaza effectively,
according to the UAE’s state news agency, Wam.
The total aid parachuted in by the UAE has now exceeded
3,924 tonnes of various relief items, including food and essential supplies,
signifying the scale of the UAE’s humanitarian commitment to Gaza.
Coordination with International Partners
The aid drops have involved significant international
cooperation. Besides the UAE and Jordan, aircraft from Germany, Italy, Belgium,
France, and Spain have also been involved in the operations, reflecting a broad
coalition working to address the humanitarian needs. UAE Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the
importance of this joint effort as a model of international humanitarian
cooperation.
Humanitarian Context
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, exacerbated by
ongoing conflict since October 7, 2023. The Palestinian death toll has
reportedly reached 61,599, with more than 154,000 injured. The blockade,
ongoing hostilities, and restricted access have severely limited the delivery
of essential aid to the territory’s population of 2.4 million people. The World
Food Programme and other organizations have warned of famine-like conditions,
with acute malnutrition affecting thousands, particularly women and children.
The Israeli military has allowed limited aid airdrops and
land crossings amid mounting international pressure to alleviate starvation
conditions. However, aid agencies have cautioned that airdrops alone are
insufficient and have highlighted the risks during distribution, including
casualties caused by accidents and crowding during drops.
Challenges and Risks of Aid Delivery
There have been reports of difficulties and dangers
associated with aerial aid drops. For example, some parachutes have failed,
resulting in fatalities among the civilian population in Gaza. This has been
described as an "airborne humiliation" by relatives of victims and
has raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of this method. Aid
organizations stress the necessity of establishing safe and continuous ground
corridors for more reliable aid delivery.
UAE’s Commitment and Broader Support Efforts
The UAE continues to lead global humanitarian initiatives
through coordinated operations that support Palestinians in Gaza. These efforts
include land, sea, and air operations to provide urgent and sustained aid to
vulnerable communities impacted by the conflict.
Alongside food and relief supplies, the UAE has also coordinated medical aid deliveries in cooperation with the World Health Organization, supplying medicines and medical supplies to sustain hospitals and healthcare services within Gaza.
The UAE, in partnership with Jordan and international
allies, remains a key player in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, combining
land and air operations to provide critical relief amidst one of the most
severe humanitarian crises in recent memory. The commitment under Operation
Gallant Knight 3 continues to alleviate suffering, although significant
challenges remain due to ongoing conflict and logistical constraints.