Israel Opens Humanitarian Corridors, Resumes Aid Drops Amid Gaza Hunger Crisis

Israel has announced the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza and the resumption of aid air drops, a move that comes amid escalating international pressure and dire warnings of mass starvation in the besieged territory. The decision, confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a recent statement, follows weeks of intense calls for increased aid access to Gaza’s two million residents.

The IDF stated it has initiated a series of actions aimed at improving humanitarian response, including allowing the first air drops of flour, sugar, and canned goods provided by international organizations. Additionally, the IDF confirmed it is prepared to implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas and has resumed power supply to a Gaza desalination plant, intended to serve approximately 900,000 residents.

These concessions follow Israel’s acceptance of a joint Jordanian, UAE, and UK plan for air drops, though aid agencies express concerns about the effectiveness and safety of such methods. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, criticized air drops as “expensive, inefficient, and potentially dangerous,” urging Israel to “lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements” for aid trucks.

The announcement comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 125 deaths from malnutrition in recent days, including 85 children, while the WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the crisis as “man-made mass starvation.” Palestinians on the ground continue to report severe shortages of food and water, with some expressing fears about the safety of air-dropped aid.

Israel has consistently denied accusations of deliberate starvation, stating that responsibility for food distribution lies with the UN and international aid organizations, who must ensure aid does not reach Hamas. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, and has since resulted in over 59,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

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