Germany begins airdropping humanitarian aid into Gaza, as FM pledges €5 million aid PHOTO

The German military has launched humanitarian airdrops into the Gaza Strip, marking its first direct aid contribution to the Palestinian territories since the outbreak of the current conflict, according to the German Defence Ministry.

German air force transport planes dropped 34 pallets carrying a total of 14 tons of food and medical supplies over the besieged enclave. The mission is being carried out from a Jordanian base, in coordination with regional partners Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, which have been leading the aerial aid campaign, Caliber.Az reports via DW. 

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) acknowledged the limitations of the airdrop effort.

“Food and medication is lacking in Gaza,” he said. “For many people, including for many children, it's about sheer survival," he said. 

During a visit to the region, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) emphasised the need for land-based aid distribution.

“That's why we're calling urgently on the Israeli government to allow secure access [to Gaza] for the United Nations and international aid organizations and to facilitate secure distribution [of aid],” he said.

Wadephul also announced Germany will contribute an additional €5 million ($5.7 million) to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), supporting bakery and soup kitchen operations in Gaza. He made the announcement on July 31 while touring UN aid facilities in Jerusalem.

Germany will also support the opening of a new field hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. The pre-fabricated components of the hospital reportedly arrived in Israel in April and are expected to provide essential healthcare services once established.

After meetings with senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Wadephul issued a stark warning: “Israel runs the risk of becoming increasingly isolated internationally” over a “humanitarian disaster” in Gaza which is “beyond imagination.”

He added that Israel bears responsibility for ensuring humanitarian access to prevent further loss of life.

“Israel had a responsibility to allow humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza quickly, safely and sufficiently to avert mass deaths,” he said.

By Sabina Mammadli