[Salon] U.S. to launch airdrop campaign over Gaza, Biden says, as humanitarian crisis worsens

[Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>]

U.S. to launch airdrop campaign over Gaza, Biden says, as humanitarian crisis worsens

March 1, 2024  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/01/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/?location=alert

President Biden said Friday that the United States would launch an airdrop campaign to deliver aid to Gaza. The announcement comes with the enclave on the brink of famine, humanitarian groups say. Aid convoys have struggled to make deliveries amid Israeli bombardment and disruptions at border crossings.

Key updates

• Chaotic aid delivery turns deadly as Israeli, Gazan officials trade blame

Here's what to know

Gaza health officials said more than 100 people were killed after a crowd converged on an aid convoy in Gaza City on Thursday. Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses blamed the casualties on Israeli gunfire; Israeli officials blamed a stampede near the aid convoy. Many details of the incident remain unclear. President Biden said it would complicate hostage negotiations.

At least 30,228 people have been killed and 71,377 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and says 242 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operation in Gaza.

Leaders and humanitarian groups condemn aid convoy incident