Ottawa [Canada], August 5 (ANI): The Canadian Armed Forces carried out their first humanitarian airdrop over Gaza on Monday, delivering 9,800 kilograms of aid to Palestinians, according to Global Affairs Canada, as reported by CBC News.
CBC News, which had exclusive access to the operation, reported that the supplies—including lentils, oil, milk powder, and pasta—were delivered using a CC-130J Hercules aircraft that departed from a Jordanian airbase. The airdrop was part of a multinational effort by six countries to address the growing hunger crisis in the Palestinian territory.
“Canada is taking these exceptional measures with our international partners as access to humanitarian aid in Gaza is severely restricted and humanitarian needs have reached an unprecedented level,” Global Affairs Canada stated Monday afternoon. “Despite the scale of need, humanitarian partners face severe challenges in delivering life-saving food and medical assistance by land due to ongoing restrictions imposed by the Israeli government.”
Major Cam MacKay of the 436 Transport Squadron told CBC News that the team was highly motivated to undertake the mission. “There are people that are very much in need of that aid on the ground, and for us to be able to assist Global Affairs Canada and deliver that aid, it feels very good,” he said.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on social media that 120 aid packages were airdropped by six countries, including Canada, which joined the operations for the first time. The other participating nations were Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Germany, and Belgium. France and Spain have also conducted airdrops over the past four days.
Scenes from the Nuseirat area in central Gaza showed chaos as Palestinians rushed to collect the aid. Men and women jostled for position, and children climbed over the crowds in desperation to reach the supplies.
In response to mounting international pressure over reports of starvation in Gaza, Israel has eased some of its restrictions on food and medicine shipments. This includes permitting airdrops, temporarily pausing military activity in certain areas, and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.
However, aid experts have noted that airdrops are significantly less effective than truck convoys. According to CBC News, some pallets dropped earlier this week landed in the sea, and at least one fell and killed people on the ground.
Israel continues to blame Hamas for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while claiming it is taking additional steps to facilitate aid deliveries. (ANI)
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