Airdrop incident claims lives in Gaza

Gumanitarian airdrop in Gaza results in the loss of five lives and ten injuries, according to a medic at the largest hospital

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a humanitarian airdrop in the northern region of Gaza resulted in the loss of lives and injuries on Friday. According to a medic at Gaza’s largest hospital, five individuals lost their lives, while ten others sustained injuries in the incident.

Mohammed al-Sheikh, the head nurse of the emergency room at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital, confirmed the casualties, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The tragic occurrence unfolded north of the Al-Shati refugee camp, casting a shadow of sorrow over the Palestinian territory.

Eyewitness accounts shed light on the harrowing moments that ensued after the aid was parachuted into the area. Mohammed al-Ghoul, a resident of the camp, recounted the hopeful anticipation of receiving assistance, only to witness the catastrophic failure of a parachute, resulting in a deadly impact on a nearby residence.

“I saw people transferring three martyrs and others injured, who were staying on the roof of the house where the aid packages fell,” expressed Mohammed al-Ghoul, reflecting on the aftermath of the distressing incident.

While the United States and Jordan have been involved in airdrop initiatives to alleviate the dire conditions in northern Gaza, a Jordanian military source clarified that their aircraft were not responsible for the fatal mishap. The technical defect that led to the malfunction of certain parachutes during the airdrop was not attributed to Jordanian aircraft, as affirmed by the military source.

In response to the tragic loss of life, the government media office in Hamas-controlled Gaza criticized the effectiveness of airdrops as a means of aid delivery, deeming them “futile” and emphasizing the need for alternative methods. The United Nations echoed similar sentiments, stressing that airdrops or maritime aid corridors cannot serve as substitutes for land deliveries, urging greater access for trucks through border crossings to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Source:  AFP