Israeli forces conduct new airdrop operation to Gaza

The Israeli military says it is expanding its humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip in coordination with regional partners, as international criticism grows over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it carried out another round of aid deliveries on July 28 as part of a joint initiative with the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The operation, led by the IDF’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), involved the airdrop of 20 aid packages containing food supplies intended for both southern and northern Gaza, Caliber.Az reports via the IDF statement. 

“This effort is part of a continuing series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in Gaza,” the IDF said in a statement, adding that the military will continue cooperating with the international community to facilitate aid and “refute the false claims of deliberate starvation in Gaza.”

The latest operation comes as Israel begins implementing new “tactical pauses” in certain areas of Gaza, easing some restrictions amid a growing outcry from the international community over civilian suffering.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, 14 people—including two children—died from famine and malnutrition in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of such deaths to 147 since the conflict began, with 88 of the victims being children. The majority of these deaths have been recorded in recent months, according to United Nations officials.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since late May while attempting to reach aid distribution points. The fatalities are linked to a controversial new aid distribution system led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group backed by both the United States and Israel.

International organisations and rights groups have repeatedly warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly under Israel’s military campaign and blockade, with aid efforts frequently hampered by insecurity, logistical constraints, and policy restrictions.

By Sabina Mammadli