Egypt made its first launch of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the US announced a package of USD 53 million for the enclave

70

Egypt Launches 10 Tons of Aid in First Air Drop to Gaza Strip

In a significant humanitarian effort, the Egyptian Air Force conducted the first air drop of humanitarian aid in the northern and central areas of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. A total of 50 tons of emergency medical assistance were dropped in collaboration with Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and France.

This operation, aimed at providing urgent aid to areas affected in the northern Gaza Strip, marks Egypt’s intensified efforts to relieve those in need. The aid includes food and humanitarian assistance, with the first batch consisting of 10 tons of supplies.

Additionally, Jordan, with support from UN Women, launched 40 tons of health packages specifically for women in Gaza. Since early October, Jordan has conducted 15 aid drops and sent 60 planes with supplies to Egypt for distribution through the Rafah border crossing.

In a separate development, the United States announced the sending of $53 million in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank through USAID. This aid, which aims to support food programs and international NGOs, brings the total US assistance to $180 million since the start of Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power emphasized the importance of ensuring that aid reaches those in need promptly and without bureaucratic obstacles. She also stressed the need for the protection of humanitarian workers in Gaza.

Despite these efforts, the US government has requested Congress to approve a $14 billion military aid package for Israel, which remains pending due to its linkage with $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.

The collaboration between Egypt, Jordan, and other international partners underscores the collective commitment to providing essential aid to the Gaza Strip in the midst of ongoing humanitarian challenges.