UN Warns Airdrops In Gaza 'Last Resort,' Pose Risks To Civilians On Ground

HAMILTON (Canada), July 29 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The United Nations (UN) on Monday cautioned that while humanitarian airdrops have resumed in the Gaza Strip, they remain a "last resort" and pose serious risks to civilians on the ground, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

"While we welcome all efforts to provide aid to the people who desperately need it, UN agencies and partners remind us, airdrops are the last resort measure and carry risks for people on the ground," UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters at a news conference.

He added that "injuries were reported on Sunday when packages fell on tents."

He said the UN is not directly involved in the ongoing airdrops, adding: "Obviously, we welcome any efforts to provide more aid, including airdrops."

"You can't possibly get more aid in through airdrops than you can through road convoys," he said.

On Israel's recent decision to simplify movement procedures for aid convoys, Haq said: "Out of 17 missions requiring coordination with the Israeli authorities, eight were facilitated, including the collection of fuel and supplies from Kerem Shalom, while three have been denied and two cancelled."

"Four missions, including the uplift of food cargo, were impeded but accomplished," he said.

Noting that Israel's "long-standing restrictions on the entry of aid have created an unpredictable environment with a lack of confidence by communities that aid will reach them," the spokesman said: "This has resulted in many of our convoys being offloaded directly by starving desperate people."

"Yesterday, hungry people offloaded food supplies before they could reach their intended destination," he added.

Haq also emphasised the urgent need for sustained humanitarian access.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported Monday that 1,175 people have been killed and 7,758 injured while waiting for aid since May 27.

On Monday, the ministry said 14 more Palestinians, including two children, had died in the past 24 hours from hunger and malnutrition, raising the total to 147 since Oct. 7, 2023, including 88 children.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU