Israel Airdrops Aid as Six Nations Join Humanitarian Effort
IDF Denies Starvation Allegations Amidst Gaza Crisis
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a significant joint aid operation, airdropping 126 packages of food into southern and northern Gaza. This coordinated effort involved six countries, marking a new phase in international humanitarian assistance for the region.
Joint Airdrop Initiative
This mission saw the IDF collaborating with the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Spain, France, and Germany. The operation underscores a growing international commitment to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, as global criticism intensifies.
Previously, on July 27, Jordan and the UAE executed their own airdrop of 25 tons of essential supplies, the first such mission in months, highlighting the urgent need for aid delivery.
IDF Chief Refutes Starvation Claims
In response to mounting international pressure, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. **Eyal Zamir** vehemently denied accusations of deliberate starvation. He asserted that such claims are part of a coordinated misinformation campaign intended to label the IDF with war crimes.
“The party responsible for the killing and suffering of Gaza’s residents is Hamas. IDF soldiers and commanders act with morality and integrity, in accordance with the IDF’s spirit and international law.”
—Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, IDF Chief of Staff
The situation in Gaza remains critical, with the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reporting that over half a million people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger, underscoring the severe humanitarian challenge (IPC Global Report 2023).
Hostage Negotiations and Ongoing Operations
Regarding hostage negotiations, Lt. Gen. **Zamir** indicated that the military would persist with its operations irrespective of any potential partial deal. He suggested that a decision on reaching a partial agreement was imminent, and if unsuccessful, hostilities would continue.
The IDF has also maintained operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, aiming to dismantle the group’s military capabilities. Following a November 2024 ceasefire, the IDF reported a significant degradation of Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal and launch capabilities. This action has been bolstered by Syria’s new regime reportedly blocking Iranian weapons transfers, a move the IDF considers a major blow to Hezbollah.
Since the ceasefire, the IDF has conducted over 500 strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The military assesses that Hezbollah no longer poses a substantial threat of a large-scale ground invasion, though isolated incidents may still occur.