US Airlift Operation in Gaza Sparks Debate Over Aid Access
On Saturday, the United States began a humanitarian airlift to Gaza, distributing 38,000 food packets on 66 pallets dropped from three C-130 aircraft. The planes flew at low altitude over the enclave, a move confirmed by multiple military sources to NBC News.
This operation follows an authorization earlier in the week by President Joe Biden, aimed at easing the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli military response to militant attacks on October 7.
In recent days, France, Egypt, and Jordan have also carried out aid deliveries through the same airlift system, reflecting the immense difficulties of ground entry due to ongoing fighting and Israeli blockades around Gaza’s crossing points.
Yet this mode of aid distribution has been met with significant skepticism from international NGOs and senior diplomats, including EU High Representative Josep Borrell, who argued it amounts to a largely symbolic effort that could jeopardize the safety of Palestinians trying to reach the aid packets.
“Aerial drops do not replace real humanitarian access,” warned the International Rescue Committee on Friday. “Even considering aerial drops highlights the grave access challenges in Gaza, where more than half a million people face famine conditions.”
Borrell described such operations as having only a minimal impact on meeting the population’s needs, especially as authorities in Gaza report rising fatalities among children from hunger during the current crisis.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the approach in a Saturday statement, accusing Israel of hampering humanitarian channels and signaling a lack of willingness to leverage influence to secure more aid for Gaza.
“The United States is acting like a marginal and weak power, unable to guarantee the entry of aid for the starving in Gaza,” said a statement posted on the X platform. The ministry also expressed surprise at what it called the United States’ display of weakness, arguing that a great power could compel Israel to protect civilians if it chose to do so.
Even President Biden, during his Friday briefing on the operation, acknowledged that the enclave “should be receiving hundreds of trucks of aid daily” because what is arriving now is insufficient and lives are at stake.
Pros and Pitfalls of the System
UNICEF argues that the airlift system offers certain advantages in extreme emergencies like the Gaza crisis. The C-130s can carry three times the volume of a standard aid truck and travel longer distances at higher speeds, enabling rapid delivery of essential relief when time is critical.
“Above all, they address urgent needs in emergencies or when the shelf life of supplies is a factor,” a UNICEF spokesperson told NBC News.
However, the UN’s Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, cautioned on Friday about the inherent challenges of this approach. He cited past experiences, such as the Syria relief missions in 2016, where aerial drops often failed to reach intended targets or the dispatch teams awaiting them could not access the payloads in time.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to unfold, observers emphasize that air drops are a supplemental tool rather than a substitute for reliable, unobstructed humanitarian access. The broader question remains how to ensure that aid reaches those most in need without putting aid workers and civilians at risk.
Public health and relief advocates stress that steady, predictable aid flows, secure corridors, and rapid on-the-ground delivery mechanisms are essential to prevent further loss of life. The ongoing debate reflects competing priorities between immediate supply delivery and the long-term needs for safe, continuous humanitarian access in the region.
Meanwhile, international bodies and regional actors are calling for improved coordination among donors, implementers, and authorities to maximize effectiveness while safeguarding civilian protection. The goal remains clear: deliver vital relief to Gaza’s vulnerable population in a way that is both efficient and cognizant of the broader security context, with a focus on preventing further humanitarian harm.