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Israel has authorized Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to resume humanitarian airdrops into the Gaza Strip, with the first delivery by Jordan expected as early as Friday, July 25, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).
The decision comes amid growing international concern over worsening food shortages and malnutrition in Gaza. In 2024, similar airdrops were conducted by the U.S., Jordan, Egypt, and France, though one mission resulted in fatalities due to a parachute malfunction.
Aid Distribution Standoff
While Israel maintains that it is not blocking aid, COGAT’s Col. Abdullah Halabi stated that over 800 trucks of humanitarian supplies are currently waiting inside Gaza, blaming logistical and bureaucratic delays by the United Nations and aid organizations for the bottleneck.
“Israel does not limit the number of trucks entering the Gaza Strip,” Halabi said. “It is the collection issue that is preventing the continuous delivery of humanitarian aid.”
However, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric countered that security constraints, lack of access approvals, and complex transfer procedures at crossings like Kerem Shalom are impeding aid distribution. He described the process as “lengthy and difficult,” likening it to “a McDonald’s drive-through—except it’s not”.
Political and Humanitarian Implications
The renewed airdrop initiative reflects Israel’s acknowledgment of localized food access challenges, despite its assertion that no widespread famine exists in Gaza. The move also follows the collapse of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, which reportedly altered terms of a proposed deal that Israel found unacceptable.
Halabi accused Hamas of exploiting the humanitarian crisis as a “pressure tactic” in ongoing negotiations, while reaffirming Israel’s commitment to working with international partners to improve aid delivery.
You can read more from The Times of Israel and Diaspora Digital Media.
