The United States military on March 2 carried out its first airdrop of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a day after the deaths of Palestinians queueing for aid threw the spotlight on an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the crowded coastal enclave.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the airdrop was carried out using three C-130 planes. One of the officials said more than 38,000 meals were airdropped.
US President Joe Biden announced on March 1 plans for a military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza.
Other countries, including Jordan and France, have already carried out airdrops of aid into Gaza.
"We need to do more, and the United States will do more," Mr Biden told reporters, adding that "aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough".
At the White House, spokesman John Kirby stressed that airdrops would become "a sustained effort".
He earlier said the first airdrop would be military MREs, or Meals, Ready to Eat.
"This isn't going to be one and done," Mr Kirby said.
Mr Biden told reporters that the US was also looking at the possibility of a maritime corridor to deliver large amounts of aid into Gaza.
He earlier said he hoped a ceasefire would be in place by the time of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on March 10.
Gaza truce talks between Israeli and Hamas delegations are due to resume in Cairo on March 3, two Egyptian security sources said on March 2.
This story is from the March 03, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the March 03, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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