The United States military is set to airdrop food and supplies into Gaza in the near future, following the lead of other nations such as France, Jordan, and Egypt that have already taken similar actions.
the United States is planning to employ military aircraft for supply airdrops over Gaza. Although the specific type of aircraft has not been explicitly stated, both the C-17 and C-130 are well-suited for this critical task.
.@JoeBiden says the #US will begin airdropping #humanitarian assistance into #Gaza, a day after over 100 #Palestinians were killed during a chaotic encounter with #Israeli troops https://t.co/B5zdtpcVUk
— Arab News (@arabnews) March 1, 2024
The C-17 can carry up to 40 pallets of supplies. It has an impressive range, allowing it to cover long distances without refueling.The C-130 can accommodate 16 pallets of cargo.The C-130’s ability to operate from short and unprepared airstrips makes it ideal for delivering aid to challenging locations.
Gaza, with its dense population, presents a significant challenge for aid distribution. Officials express concern about ensuring that the assistance reaches those in need and doesn’t become inaccessible in certain areas.
“It is extremely difficult to do an airdrop in such a crowded environment as is Gaza,” John Kirby, President Joe Biden’s top national security spokesperson, said.
Officials also say that without a US military presence on the ground, there is no guarantee that the aid will not end up in the hands of Hamas.
On Friday, President Joe Biden informed the press that the United States is exploring the feasibility of establishing a maritime corridor to facilitate the delivery of substantial aid into Gaza.
One potential solution being explored is shipping humanitarian aid by sea from Cyprus, which lies approximately 210 nautical miles away from Gaza’s Mediterranean coastline.
The official clarified that no definitive decision has been reached regarding military engagement in this operation. However, it’s worth noting that the Israeli authorities have shown favorable receptivity toward the sealift option. This approach is appealing because it circumvents potential delays caused by protesters obstructing land crossings for aid convoys.
the maritime option involving military assistance presents significant challenges. The absence of a clearly defined location for unloading aid from ships further complicates matters.
ALSO READ | US Senate passes stopgap funding bill to avert government shutdown