NEW DELHI: Five civilians were killed and several others injured on Friday in north of Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp when a pallet from a humanitarian airdrop crashed into a group of people queuing for food after the parachute failed to open, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The Gaza government media office responded to the incident, acknowledging the casualties.They criticized the airdrops as “useless” and described them as “flashy propaganda rather than humanitarian service.” The government office advocated for the delivery of food to pass through land borders instead.
“We previously warned it poses a threat to the lives of citizens in the Gaza Strip and this is what happened today when the parcels fell on the citizens’ heads,” it said in a statement.
Last month, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted a dire situation in Gaza, reporting that at least half a million people, equating to one in four of Gaza’s population, were facing the threat of famine.
Against the backdrop of this famine crisis, the recent killings underscored the challenges in providing essential humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst Israeli restrictions. Al Jazeera reported that the incident shed light on the obstacles faced by aid organizations in delivering much-needed supplies. According to the main UN agency operating in Gaza, UNRWA, Israeli authorities have imposed a ban on transporting supplies to the northern part of the strip since January 23.
The World Food Programme on Tuesday announced that its initial convoy attempt to the north in two weeks was compelled to reverse course by military forces.
Security concerns prompted the organization to halt its delivery operations in Gaza. Consequently, multiple nations, including Egypt, the United States, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, have resorted to airdrops to deliver aid.
Nevertheless, relief organizations have voiced concerns, labeling these efforts as costly and ineffective means of distributing food and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, according to the UN, if nothing is done, a widespread famine in the Gaza Strip is “almost inevitable.”
Aid organizations attribute the scarcity of food in the enclave, which has faced Israeli siege and attacks since October 7, to ongoing military activities, insecurity, and substantial barriers to the transportation of essential supplies, reported Al Jazeera.
Health officials in Gaza have reported that over 30,000 people have lost their lives in the strip during the five-month conflict.
The Gaza government media office responded to the incident, acknowledging the casualties.They criticized the airdrops as “useless” and described them as “flashy propaganda rather than humanitarian service.” The government office advocated for the delivery of food to pass through land borders instead.
“We previously warned it poses a threat to the lives of citizens in the Gaza Strip and this is what happened today when the parcels fell on the citizens’ heads,” it said in a statement.
Last month, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted a dire situation in Gaza, reporting that at least half a million people, equating to one in four of Gaza’s population, were facing the threat of famine.
Against the backdrop of this famine crisis, the recent killings underscored the challenges in providing essential humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst Israeli restrictions. Al Jazeera reported that the incident shed light on the obstacles faced by aid organizations in delivering much-needed supplies. According to the main UN agency operating in Gaza, UNRWA, Israeli authorities have imposed a ban on transporting supplies to the northern part of the strip since January 23.
The World Food Programme on Tuesday announced that its initial convoy attempt to the north in two weeks was compelled to reverse course by military forces.
Security concerns prompted the organization to halt its delivery operations in Gaza. Consequently, multiple nations, including Egypt, the United States, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, have resorted to airdrops to deliver aid.
Nevertheless, relief organizations have voiced concerns, labeling these efforts as costly and ineffective means of distributing food and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, according to the UN, if nothing is done, a widespread famine in the Gaza Strip is “almost inevitable.”
Aid organizations attribute the scarcity of food in the enclave, which has faced Israeli siege and attacks since October 7, to ongoing military activities, insecurity, and substantial barriers to the transportation of essential supplies, reported Al Jazeera.
Health officials in Gaza have reported that over 30,000 people have lost their lives in the strip during the five-month conflict.