The massive rear gate of the Jordanian air force cargo plane descends slowly like a rigid iron jaw, exposing a hazy blue sky and, far below, the worn-out terrain of northern Gaza.
Inside the plane’s spacious hold, the aid brought by the crew is arranged in orderly rows: bundles of boxes stacked on wooden pallets, each secured with shrink-wrap and heavy straps, and adorned with images of Jordan’s flag.
As the light and the noise flood in, the bundles glide down rollers on the floor and vanish through the door, descending under billowing parachutes as a silent, and likely insufficient, gesture to the desperate population below.
Amid concerns raised by humanitarian organizations and others about an impending famine in northern Gaza and widespread hunger across the region, airdrops are playing a significant role in the efforts to distribute food, water, and critical supplies to Palestinians.
On Thursday, the Jordanian air force permitted a photographer from The New York Times to witness the airdrop of aid bundles across northern Gaza. The journey, departing and returning from Jordan’s King Abdullah II air base near Amman, lasted several hours.
Countries such as Jordan, the United States, Britain, and France argue that the airdrops are helping to make up for the sharp decline in aid entering Gaza by truck since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, prompting a months-long military response from Israel.
The United Nations and aid organizations have raised concerns that truck deliveries are being delayed by Israel’s requirement to inspect all supplies entering Gaza. Most aid trucks are only permitted through two border crossings – one from Egypt and one from Israel – in southern Gaza.
Israel contends that the slow delivery of aid to Palestinians is due to disorganization among aid groups and alleges that much of the aid is diverted to Hamas or the black market, although these claims cannot be verified.
One of the few alternatives is dropping supplies from the air, a process that is quick in the sky but requires extensive bureaucracy and hours of groundwork on the land.
The numerous pallets dropped from the planes on Thursday reportedly contained thousands of meals, according to the Jordanians. However, humanitarian officials argue that airdrops are inefficient and costly, with even large military cargo planes delivering less than a single convoy of trucks could.
Furthermore, airdrops can be hazardous: this week, Gazan authorities reported that 12 individuals drowned while attempting to retrieve aid that had fallen into the ocean.
