![US soldiers prepare bundles of humanitarian assistance to air drop over Gaza on March 17. [CENTCOM]](/ssc/images/2024/03/21/46222-us-aid-600_384.webp)
The United States is continuing to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza through military airdrops, opening sea access routes and with the assistance of private civilian efforts.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 20 conducted an airdrop of humanitarian assistance into northern Gaza for the 14th time to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.
In the joint US-Jordanian Air Force operation, a US C-130 dropped 6,000 pounds (2,720 kg) of food including rice, flour, milk, pasta and canned foods.
US forces have been working around the clock at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar to prepare for the ongoing airdrops.
The meals, military rations from other US bases in the region, contained about 1,300 calories each and included an entree, snacks and a heater, Stars and Stripes reported March 18.
They do not contain pork, US Air Force officials said.
The success of the operations stems in part from Gazan civilians' compliance with the delivery procedures put in place by US military personnel who are delivering the aid and ensuring the safety of civilians receiving it.
The US military is also planning to build a temporary port on Gaza's Mediterranean coast to receive humanitarian aid by sea. The floating pier system could take up to 60 days to be operational, according to the Pentagon.
Commercial aid proposal
In the meantime, the United States is considering a privately run operation to send aid by sea, that some say could be operational in under a month, Reuters reported citing three people familiar with the plan and an unnamed US official.
The project would bring aid to Gaza aboard tug-boat pushed barges and then offload the containers onto shore by crane.
Fogbow, a civilian advisory firm comprised of former US military, government and UN officials, is spearheading the plan, Reuters reported.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories Jamie McGoldrick said Fogbow briefed him earlier this month on a plan it was working on with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
"It's a good idea and I think it'd be helpful," McGoldrick told Reuters. "The more avenues we have to supply into Gaza, the better."
Yes, I like it.
ReplyDone!
ReplyBrothers, I need to scare you
ReplyYes.
ReplyI'm Ahmed Khalil Auda al-Hennawi from Gaza. Please send us assistance. Here's my cell phone number: 0597712325
ReplyDone!
ReplyI'm sorry to say that your plan to seize Gaza shores will fail, and your trick will not deceive us. We know it'll be a port to facilitate immigration and help dig the road to complete what they claim to be the Jewish state. We also know that Qatar seeks this more than the UAE. You're all [unintelligible] of one interest.
ReplyWe don't accept comfort, progress or civilization until we see al-Quds free and until we see the enemy tasting the bitterness of defeat. We're still loyal to our promise, Abu Ammar. Your name is still a beacon; you're an icon and we will never forget your revenge.
ReplyMay Allah give us a good ruler!
ReplyIf there is a group of the people that can deliver assistance to all the people of Gaza, it would be better. I'm one of those people. There are civilians who receive food and assistance, but there are many others who don't.
ReplyNonsense.
ReplyIf America had wanted assistance to go in, it would have ordered Israel to open Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side and not to shell it. However, America only supports the occupying entity.