Following Hamas' October 7 terror attack, Israel has unleashed disaster on the civilian population in Gaza. Chief among them is hunger and starvation, which according to the UN, is reaching unforeseen levels that will inevitably bring on a famine. While the U.S. and many in the global community have been spearheading efforts to send humanitarian aid into Gaza, logistical distribution, goods restrictions and delivery bottlenecks continue to prevent civilians from accessing food and medical aid.
To overcome these problems, humanitarian food airdrops from cargo aircraft will help supplement existing aid delivery efforts, bypassing the tightly controlled border model that prevents aid from reaching Gaza. Food items like flour, grains, legumes, and powdered milk in reinforced bags can be dropped from the backs of airplanes at dispersed locations in Gaza near population centers, making it possible for civilians to quickly retrieve food items. It will increase the likelihood that the neediest people will gain access to food supplies and help avert famine.
Airdrops are not a long-term solution, nor the most efficient method for delivery, yet they will be highly effective in providing relief. Airdrops by the U.S. and the UN have shown to be successful for decades in conflict zones. I urge you to call for the rapid implementation of this option to help the desperate civilian population avert further catastrophe. The U.S. must take a leadership role in preventing an ever more catastrophic outcome and to maintain our standing and leverage in the region especially in the face of unprecedented geopolitical instability.
