"Humiliating and Ineffective": Criticisms Follow as Countries Airdrop Aid into Gaza

23 hours ago 1

August 5, 2025 | 07:56 pm

Several countries are airdropping humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, a move taken to overcome restrictions on ground shipments imposed by Israel.

Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza since it launched a massive military operation in the enclave in October 2023. The occupation also cut off food and essential supplies starting March 2, 2025, something Israel justified by claiming it was done to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages they took on October 7, 2023.

Aid has started to flow back through land routes in May, but the volume is far from sufficient. According to Palestinian officials, at least 600 aid trucks are needed each day to meet the needs of Gaza's 2.4 million residents.

According to Euronews, the situation on the ground is worsening. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that one in four Palestinians in Gaza is now facing extreme hunger. Around 100,000 women and children are suffering from acute malnutrition. Last week, the WFP recorded that a third of the population had not eaten for several consecutive days.

Criticisms Against Airdropping Aid

Airdropping aid has also drawn criticism, as experts quoted by CBC said the method is less effective than a convoy.

Some pallets dropped by air earlier this week have fallen into the sea, and at least one pallet has hit and killed a Palestinian in Gaza.

In emergency situations, starving people are risking swimming into the sea to reach food.

Mohamed El Saife, a freelance videographer for CBC News in Gaza, recorded a video on the ground as a Canadian plane flew over Gaza. Chaos ensued as Palestinians rushed to the aid delivery site in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza.

Upon arrival, men and women pushed each other, and some children were seen climbing the desperate crowd to reach the humanitarian aid.

26-year-old Ahmad Ayesh was holding a shattered can of food as the crowd rushed to take the aid. Ayesh told CBC News, "Of course we feel humiliated. Open the [border] crossing and let aid through normally."

Here is a list of countries that have sent aid to Gaza by air:

Jordan and UAE Lead International Coalition

According to a report from Anadolu, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) led a multinational operation to airdrop aid to Gaza on Friday, August 1. The operation involved seven planes from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that their country's first aid delivery was made last Friday, consisting of several tons of food. Macron mentioned that the air aid will continue throughout the weekend.

Spain

Spain airdropped 12 tons of aid packed in 24 parachutes. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that the amount is sufficient to reach around 11,000 Gaza residents.

Germany

Germany sent 14 tons of food and medical aid by air. However, German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul also stressed that ground routes remain the most effective.

Italy

Italy participated in the multinational operation led by Jordan and the UAE. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that permission had been given to the military to transport and airdrop essential aid to Gaza civilians affected by the conflict.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has not yet started aid delivery, but the government pledged to do so in the near future. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated, “We expect Israel to do more to enable humanitarian aid via land routes and to fully honor its humanitarian agreements with the EU."

Canada

According to CBC News, Canada airdropped its first batch of aid last Monday using a CC-130J Hercules military aircraft departing from an airbase in Jordan. A total of 9,800 kilograms of aid was delivered, including lentils, oil, powdered milk, and pasta.

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