US, Jordan conduct second humanitarian aid airdrop into Gaza
- CENTCOM: U.S. dropped over 36,800 meal equivalents in northern Gaza
- U.S. military planes first dropped thousands of meals into Gaza on Saturday
- Aid groups say airdrops should be only a last resort
(NewsNation) — The United States and Jordan conducted a second round of humanitarian aid airdrops into northern Gaza on Tuesday, according to U.S. Central Command.
The two countries hope the airdrops will help provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“U.S. C-130s dropped over 36,800 U.S. and Jordanian meal equivalents in northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
CENTCOM says this is just one of many airdrops it plans to conduct.
U.S. military planes first dropped thousands of meals into Gaza on Saturday, and the militaries of Jordan and Egypt said they also conducted airdrops. Aid groups say airdrops should be only a last resort and instead urge the opening of other crossings into Gaza and the removal of obstacles at the few that are open.
Residents in northern Gaza say they are searching rubble and garbage for anything to feed their children, who barely eat one meal a day. Many families have begun mixing animal and bird food with grain to bake bread.
At least 10 children have starved to death, according to hospital records in Gaza, the World Health Organization said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.