Aid dropped into Gaza labelled a cover-up for international apathy

From these clips, it is obvious that the number of packages being dropped is not enough.

Only a few tons of food can be dropped from the air at a time, in an unsafe maneuver that is frustrating NGO members who are witnessing the extent of hunger and suffering taking place on the ground.

Cyprus announced a ship carrying 200 tons of flour was on its way to Gaza earlier this week.

Although these supplies are desperately needed as the population sinks deeper into a worrying hunger crisis – particularly in the northern region – human rights organisations are criticising these aid drops for not being enough.

In the last week alone, 20 people have reportedly died from malnutrition and dehydration. The week before, 10 Palestinian children died from starvation, according to humanitarian workers from the World Health Organisation.

In a video posted to social media, a Palestinian boy voiced his frustration after he walked ten kilometres to try and get some of the aid that was dropped over the sea, only to come back empty-handed. pic.twitter.com/6dBJm86zVv

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 11, 2024

Considering that hundreds of aid convoys carrying 100 tons of lifesaving aid sit waiting to enter on the other side of Gaza’s border, NGOs are rightfully calling for nations to prioritise calls for a lasting ceasefire so that sufficient supplies can reach Palestinians safely.

At least 25 organisations have signed a letter which states that airdropping aid is creating the ‘illusion that [countries] are doing enough to support the needs in Gaza.’

It reads: ‘Their primary responsibility is to prevent atrocity crimes from unfolding and apply effective political pressure to end the relentless bombardment and the restrictions which prevent the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.’

Aid trucks waiting in a parking in #Rafah border crossing for long time. While people are dying in #Gaza because of the lack of essential goods, many of these trucks have been waiting there since January, delayed by Israeli controls. #genocide#CeasefireNOW pic.twitter.com/eR7fXCk2gV

— Triestino Mariniello (@TriestinoM) March 7, 2024

Occurring in Gaza right now is the largest proportion of any population in a food security crisis ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Phase Classification (IPC).

Putting a stop to it will require more than a few drops from air and sea. It will require a halt to aggression and a full-scale humanitarian project that provides enough sustenance and medical supplies for a nation of 2.9 million people.