Israel resumes Gaza aid airdrops amid global outcry over child starvation
IDF drops aid into north Gaza and pauses fighting in three zones as over 130 die from malnutrition, including dozens of children
Israel has resumed airdrops of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza and launched daily “tactical pauses” in three areas of the Strip, as mounting global pressure and horrifying images of starving children force a shift in military policy.
The Israel Defence Forces said seven pallets of flour, sugar, and canned food were dropped over the weekend in coordination with international organisations, while a 10-hour daily pause in fighting has begun in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi to enable safe aid deliveries.
The move comes as the Hamas-run health ministry reported 133 deaths from starvation-related causes, including 87 children. One of the latest victims was five-month-old Zainab Abu Habib, who weighed less than 2kg at death – less than at birth.
Despite this, the IDF insists “there is no starvation in Gaza,” and described claims of widespread famine as “false.” Yet aid agencies say the territory is on the brink of collapse, with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warning: “Airdrops will not reverse the deepening starvation. They are expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians.”
The World Food Programme has confirmed that a third of Gaza’s population is going days without food, and 25 percent of children and pregnant women are now malnourished. The UN estimates over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach aid – mostly near militarised drop points used by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a scheme backed by Israel and the US.
Israeli officials maintain they have not targeted civilians at food sites. An IDF spokesperson said recent incidents were “under examination,” while rejecting what it called “baseless accusations” of intentional harm.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy cautiously welcomed the pause but said it was “long overdue.” He warned: “This announcement alone cannot alleviate the needs of those desperately suffering in Gaza. Airdrops help, but land routes remain the only viable and sustainable way to get aid in.”
The Royal Jordanian Air Force and a UAE aircraft also carried out a combined airdrop of 25 tonnes of aid on Sunday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK will join similar operations and urged Israel to expand access for land convoys.
UNRWA says it has 6,000 aid trucks waiting in Jordan and Egypt for permission to enter Gaza. “Lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe, dignified access,” Lazzarini added.
The IDF’s new policy includes the publication of secure corridors to avoid accidental targeting of convoys – a move that follows previous aid trucks being caught in crossfire. Just hours after the pause began, however, BBC Verify geolocated an Israeli airstrike in a zone designated safe, prompting renewed questions about enforcement.
Aid drops have also proved dangerous on the ground. At least 11 Palestinians were injured on Saturday after a pallet crashed into tents near al-Rasheed Road, medics said. Footage posted online shows people scrambling under parachutes and fighting over individual food packets.
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after the 7 October Hamas massacre, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, more than 59,000 have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Netanyahu said the army would continue operations until “total victory” is achieved, but added Israel would allow aid “whichever path we choose.”
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