By Al-Fassel | 2024-03-06

The United States airdropped more than 36,000 meals to Gaza March 5 in the second successful joint operation with Jordan in less than a week, the US military said.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Royal Jordanian Air Force airdropped the aid into northern Gaza at 2:30pm (local time) "to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict," CENTCOM said in a statement.

"US C-130s dropped over 36,800 US and Jordanian meal equivalents in northern Gaza," CENTCOM said, adding that it was "planning for follow-on aid delivery missions."

The United States launched its first airdrop of 38,000 meals into Gaza on March 2.

The success of the operations stemmed in part from Gazan civilians' compliance with the delivery procedures put in place by US military personnel who were delivering the aid and ensuring the safety of civilians receiving it.

Gazans' continued cooperation will help ensure the safe and successful delivery of additional humanitarian food aid in the future.

The airdrops are part of a sustained effort to get more aid into Gaza, including by expanding the flow of aid via land and sea, US officials said.

The United States has been the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to Gaza since October 7, so far providing $180 million.

"Since the beginning of the conflict, the United States has been leading efforts to get lifesaving humanitarian aid into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinians who have nothing to do with Hamas," a senior US government official told reporters March 2.

The United States plans to carry out multiple airdrops that will last weeks, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, adding that the plan required careful planning by the Pentagon for the safety of both Gazan civilians and US military personnel.