US carries out fourth airdrop in Gaza, day after reports of fatalities

The US military carried out its fourth airdrop of aid into Gaza, a US official tells Reuters, amid an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the crowded coastal enclave.

The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, does not offer more details on the airdrop, including its location or number of meals delivered.

Yesterday’s airdrop led to reports of five fatalities after some of the parachutes carrying the food did not properly open, landing on several civilians below at high speeds.

US President Joe Biden, who first announced the airdrop campaign last week, announced yesterday that the US military will also build a temporary port in the coming weeks on Gaza’s Mediterranean coast to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid by sea.

March 8 USCENTCOM, Royal Jordanian Air Force combined humanitarian aid drop

U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 8, 2024, at approximately 1:30 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide… pic.twitter.com/YqZM96FGc7

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 8, 2024