Blitz Bureau
CANADA said on August 5 that it delivered humanitarian assistance through airdrops to Gaza, which has been under a devastating Israeli military assault for almost 22 months, with Ottawa again accusing Israel of violating international law.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that it was Canadian Armed Forces’ first humanitarian airdrop over Gaza using their own aircraft.
The Israeli military said 120 food aid packages for Gaza’s residents were airdropped by six countries, including Canada. The other five were Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Germany and Belgium. Canada said last week it plans to recognize the State of Palestine at a meeting of the United Nations in September, ratcheting up pressure on Israel as starvation spreads in Gaza. Canada also said on August 5 that Israeli restrictions have posed challenges for humanitarian agencies.
“This obstruction of aid is a violation of international humanitarian law and must end immediately,” the Canada government said. The Israeli embassy in Ottawa had no immediate comment. Israel denies accusations of violating international law and blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza. Israel cut off food supplies to Gaza in March and then lifted that blockade in May – but with restrictions that it said were needed to prevent aid from being diverted to militant groups.
Israel accused of restricting humanitarian agencies
President Donald Trump claimed Hamas militants were stealing food coming into Gaza and selling it. However, Reuters reported late last month that an internal U.S. government analysis found no evidence of systematic theft by Hamas of U.S.-funded humanitarian supplies. Israel says it is taking steps for more aid to reach Gaza’s population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, allowing airdrops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.