Abu dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan led a multinational airdrop of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip on Friday, with contributions from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as reported by the Foreign Ministry of the Gulf nation. UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in discussions with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, focusing on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to enhance relief coordination.

According to Anadolu Agency, under the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country continues its initiatives to provide urgent humanitarian support to Palestinians in Gaza through various channels. Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the execution of the 59th airdrop operation, involving aircraft from multiple European countries, as an exemplar of international cooperation in humanitarian efforts.

The Israeli army had previously announced that it would permit foreign countries to airdrop aid into Gaza. However, the parachute-drop method has been controversial due to past incidents where aid inadvertently harmed civilians or fell into the sea, prompting desperate civilians to risk their lives retrieving supplies.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel's longstanding blockade and recent actions. According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), a significant portion of Gaza's population has suffered from food shortages, with alarming rates of malnutrition reported among women and children. The ongoing siege has blocked essential aid, with Palestinian officials stating an urgent need for at least 600 aid trucks daily to support the enclave's population.

The situation has been further intensified by military actions since October 7, 2023, resulting in extensive casualties and infrastructure damage in Gaza, contributing to the dire humanitarian conditions.