Jordan, UAE Conduct Multiple Aid Airdrops Over Starving Gaza

The Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have conducted multiple airdrops over the Gaza Strip, delivering a total of approximately 129 airdrops since the war began, with recent operations dropping around 15 tons of food and essential supplies to alleviate the severe famine caused by the Israeli blockade. Despite these efforts, aid agencies and the United Nations warn that airdrops are insufficient to meet Gaza's critical needs, emphasizing the necessity of restoring overland access for consistent and large-scale aid deliveries. Jordan has repeatedly requested international assistance, including from the United States, to support ongoing and planned airdrop missions, but the Trump administration currently has no active plans to participate, though it is monitoring pledges from several European countries. Jordanian officials stress that the airdrops are humanitarian and not political, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by Israeli restrictions on ground convoys, which are essential for delivering larger quantities of aid. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is described as the worst in modern history, with UN agencies warning of a looming famine and calling for uninterrupted daily food deliveries. President Trump has expressed willingness to increase U.S. involvement in aid delivery, including potential air drops, but official U.S. policy remains cautious due to concerns about the risks and inefficiencies of airdrop methods.