The US military airdropped more than 35,000 meals into northern Gaza on March 15 to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

This was the 11th successful air delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza since March 2.

The success of the operations was due to Gazan civilians' compliance with the delivery procedures put in place to allow for a safe drop zone for US military personnel delivering aid, as well as the safety of civilians receiving the aid.

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

The 11th joint operation included two US Air Force C-130s, one C-17 Globemaster III and US Army soldiers who specialize in aerial delivery of humanitarian supplies, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

The aircraft dropped more than 35,700 meals ready to eat and 31,800 bottles of water into northern Gaza, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid, it said.

An earlier airdrop mission on March 13 saw the use of a C-17 for the first time to deliver aid to Gaza.

Sustained aid effort

The humanitarian airdrops "contribute to ongoing US and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering," CENTCOM said. "These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries."

Several countries have taken part in the airdrops so far, including Jordan, the United States, Egypt, France and Belgium.

The German air force will join in the effort, government sources said on March 12.

Since March 2, the joint airdrop missions have delivered a total of more than 280,000 meals and 110,000 bottles of water to Gaza.

The mission planners take into consideration altitude, airspeed and wind speed to ensure that the bundles fall within identified drop zones, The Wall Street Journal reported March 13.

None of the US bundles that landed outside the planned zones has caused damage or injury, Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, who oversees US Air Force operations in the Middle East, told WSJ.

The United States is the largest single provider of foreign aid worldwide. Since World War II, it has distributed almost $4 trillion in foreign aid, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.