Two people have died this Friday in the Gaza Strip after aid packages parachuted from aircraft failed, according to Palestinian media reporting multiple injuries among those waiting to receive the supplies.
Videos circulating on social media and identified by the Palestinian newspaper Filastin show the aid drops from planes, with some parachutes malfunctioning and the boxes striking the people gathered below to collect the contents.
Witnesses cited by the Palestinian News Agency Ma’an said the parachutes tore in midair after release, causing the crates to fall vertically. Gazan authorities have not released an official casualty toll at this time.
In recent weeks, several aerial aid drops have been conducted, with participation from air forces of the United States, France, Jordan, and Egypt, among others, in an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the Israeli offensive triggered by Hamas attacks on October 7.
N neutral United Nations agencies and various non-governmental organizations have warned about the broad restrictions Israel imposes on humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, which is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to the military campaign and concerns over a potential famine, particularly amid the collapse of the local healthcare system.