Britain Leads Calls For Airdrops As Gaza Hunger Crisis Deepens
The UK decision to support the plans of regional partners Jordan and the United Arab Emirates came as pro-Palestinian activists piloted a symbolic aid vessel towards the shores of Gaza in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade.
On the ground, the territory's civil defence agency said at least 40 more Palestinians had been killed in Israeli military strikes and shootings.
Humanitarian chiefs are deeply sceptical that airdrops can deliver enough food to tackle the deepening hunger crisis facing Gaza's more than two million inhabitants and are instead demanding that Israel allow more overland convoys.
But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the idea, vowing to work with Jordan to restart airdrops -- and with France and Germany to develop a plan for a lasting ceasefire.
An Israeli official told AFP on Friday that airdrops in Gaza would resume soon, adding they would be conducted by the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Starmer's office said that in a call with his French and German counterparts, the "prime minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance".
The United Arab Emirates said it would resume airdrops "immediately".
"The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical and unprecedented level," Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a post on X. "Air drops are resuming once more, immediately."
A number of Western and Arab governments carried out air drops in Gaza in 2024, at a time when aid deliveries by land also faced Israeli restrictions, but many in the humanitarian community consider them ineffective.
"Airdrops will not reverse the deepening starvation. They are expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Israel imposed a total blockade on the entry of aid into Gaza on March 2 after talks to extend a ceasefire in the now 21-month-old conflict broke down. In late May, it began to allow a trickle of aid to enter.
Israel's military insists it does not limit the number of trucks going into the Gaza Strip, and alleges that UN agencies and relief groups are not collecting the aid once it is inside the territory.
But humanitarian organisations accuse the Israeli army of imposing excessive restrictions, while tightly controlling road access within Gaza.
A separate aid operation is under way through the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but has faced fierce international criticism after Israeli fire killed hundreds of Palestinians near distribution points.
On Saturday, pro-Palestinian activist group Freedom Flotilla said its latest aid boat, the Handala, was approaching Gaza and had already got closer than its previous vessel, the Madleen, which was intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces last month.
The Israeli military said it was monitoring the situation and was prepared to enforce what it called its "legal maritime security blockade".
Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli fire killed 40 people on Saturday, including 14 killed in separate incidents near aid distribution centres.
One of the 14 was killed "after Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting for humanitarian aid" northwest of Gaza City, the agency said.
Witnesses told AFP that several thousand people had gathered in the area.
Abu Samir Hamoudeh, 42, said the Israeli military opened fire while people were waiting to approach a distribution point near an Israeli military post in the Zikim area, northwest of Sudaniyah.
The Israeli military told AFP that its troops fired "warning shots to distance the crowd" after identifying an "immediate threat".
It added that it was not aware of any casualties as a result of the fire.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
The Israeli campaign has killed 59,733 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Pro-Palestinian activists gather on the dockside in Italy earlier this month to watch the Hamdala set sail for Gaza in a symbolic bid to breach Israel's blockade. AFP Hidaya al-Mutawaq, 31, cradles her sick 18-month-old son Mohammed, who is showing signs of malnutrition, inside their tent in Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
5 hours ago
- DW
Russia opens new direct flights to North Korea – DW – 07/27/2025
Monthly flights from Moscow to Pyongyang were set to begin on Sunday evening in a further sign of the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. Meanwhile, Russia's Navy Day parade was canceled on "security grounds." The first direct passenger flight from Moscow to Pyongyang since the mid-1990s was set depart on Sunday evening in another sign of the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. The eight-hour, 6,500-kilometer (4,040-mile) flight, operated by private Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines, was due to take off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport at 19:00 local time (18:00 CEST). The 440 places on the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft quickly sold out, Russian state media claimed, with tickets costing 44,700 rubles ($563, €479). However, the AFP news agency reported that nine tickets were still available on the airline's official website on Sunday morning. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between the two capital cities twice a week, although the Russian transport ministry said that flights would operate only once a month to begin with in order to "help build stable demand." A return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow is scheduled for Tuesday, according to Russian state news agency TASS. Previously, the only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo from Pyongyang to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. A direct train connection between Moscow and Pyongyang was reopened on June 17 this year after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10,000-kilometer (6,200-mile) journey takes eight days. Russia and North Korea have increased diplomatic, economic and military ties in the wake of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles to strike Ukrainian cities, while Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops to help repulse a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk region. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Meanwhile, the Russian government said on Sunday that an annual navy parade in St. Petersburg was canceled for unspecified "security reasons." Authorities in the northwestern port city canceled the parade on Friday with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying on Sunday that "security comes first." President Vladimir Putin reintroduced Russia's "Navy Day" in 2017 after an almost four-decade absence. In a video message published on Sunday, he praised the "courage" and "heroism" of Russian marines involved in the war of aggression against Ukraine since February 2022. He said the military's most important aim was to "protect the sovereignty and the national interests of the fatherland" and that the navy plays an "important role" in this. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that around 100 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted over Russian territory, at least ten of which were close to St. Petersburg, which temporarily closed its airport. Further south, Ukrainian drone and missile attacks have effectively forced Russia's Black Sea fleet to abandon its bases in Crimea and retreat further east. The fleet's flagship, the was sunk by Ukrainian forces on April 14, 2022, becoming the largest Russian warship to be sunk since the Second World War.
DW
5 hours ago
- DW
Protest against Israeli cruise ship sparks debate in Greece – DW – 07/27/2025
Protesters on the island of Syros said it was unacceptable to welcome Israeli tourists while Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were starving and decried the increasingly close relationship between Israel and Greece. "We owe an apology to these friends of Greece who chose to spend their holidays here and were forcibly denied it by some," Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis wrote on the social media platform X. "Our country remains hospitable to all and antisemitism has no place here!' His comments came in response to last Tuesday's protests on the island of Syros, where around 300 demonstrators assembled at the island's port carrying Palestinian flags and a large banner that said, "Stop the genocide." They were there to meet the MS Crown Iris, a ship owned by the Israeli cruise line, Mano Maritime. The protest was organized by locals who wanted to show that it wasn't acceptable to greet Israeli tourists while Palestinians in Gaza were starving, due to Israel's blockade on aid entering the occupied territory. Around 1,600 passengers were on the ship, which had set sail from Israel on Sunday. Some aboard reacted angrily to the portside protest, waving Israeli flags and even insulting the demonstrators, calling out "may your village burn," a slogan popular with Israeli right-wing extremists. The cruise line ultimately decided the passengers shouldn't disembark at Syros and continued on its journey to Cyprus. It's not often this kind of thing happens in Greece, where there have been fewer pro-Palestinian demonstrations than in many other European countries. But every now and again, there has been some anti-Israel action in the seafaring EU nation. On July 16, dockworkers and activists tried to prevent the unloading of steel meant for military purposes in Israel. The activists said the cargo was transferred from one ship, the Ever Golden, to another, the Cosco Shipping Pisces, in an attempt to keep the cargo "under the radar." The dockworkers' union said that they wouldn't allow the port to become a base for any military actions. There were similar protest actions in October 2024, and these are expected to continue. Meanwhile, the episode on Syros has led to heated debate in Greece. Many locals say the protest was racist and some called the demonstrators "shameless fascists." Others supported the demonstrators, saying the Israeli tourists should be informed of what their government doing in Gaza. Those who are firmly on Israel's side have accused the others of antisemitism. This is despite the fact that among those Greeks are some right-wing extremists who are actually traditionally antisemitic themselves. Now, however, they admire Israel's military strength and see Israel as an ally, mostly against Turkey, but also against Muslims in general, whom they accuse of trying to change the European way of life. The pro-Palestinian group is mostly left wing, who insist their criticism has nothing to do with antisemitism. In fact, they say that antisemitism is being worsened by Israeli actions in Gaza. Opinion polls in Greece suggest that just under half of all locals are neutral about the conflict in Gaza. However, among the other half of the population, those who are not neutral, support for Israel has declined after almost two years of fighting in Gaza. In a survey by the Eteron Institute for Research and Social Change, conducted in late April, interviewees were asked who they most supported in the conflict. Just over 40% answered "neither side." Of the rest, 30% favored the Palestinian side and 17.6% favored Israel. That's a significant change from November 2023 — immediately after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7 — when 34% supported Israel. Further detailed results show that almost 50% of those Greeks who support the conservative ruling party, New Democracy, also support Israel. Those who prefer the far-right party, Voice of Reason, also support Israel. Among those who support PASOK, a social democratic party, only 12% like Israel while 34% are pro-Palestinian. The rest of the PASOK supporters are neutral. Further left though, of the Greeks who support the local Communist party and other left-wing parties, between 74% and 84% are pro-Palestinian. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a member of New Democracy, supports Israel without reservation and has called Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu "his friend." Mitsotakis actually visited Netanyahu in Israel even after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the Israeli leader's arrest for crimes against humanity and war crimes. In June 2025, when Israel was targeted by Iran, civilian Israeli airplanes were allowed to take shelter on Greek islands. Netanyahu's own official plane was parked in Athens. For a long time, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has been trying to maintain a more balanced stance, remaining in contact with Palestinian leadership and insisting on his support for a two-state solution. Along with 28 other countries, including many European nations, Greece did sign the recent resolution calling on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza and fulfill its humanitarian obligations to the civilian population. Still, left-wing opposition politicians maintain their government's position is wrong and issued a joint statement at the end of May, calling on the Greek government to end military cooperation with Israel. Close cooperation between Israel and Greece began long before Mitsotakis became prime minister. The alliance really became closer around 2008. This was solidified by a flurry of visits of heads of state in 2010 and ever since, there's been strategic cooperation between the two nations. Before that time, relations were cooler. Athens was typically pro-Arab and Greece was the only European country to vote against the United Nations resolution of 1947 that effectively led to the founding of the state of Israel. This was due to Athens' ties with the Arab world. Greece did de facto recognize Israel in 1949, but it wasn't until May 1990 that then-Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis — the father of Greece's current prime minister — officially recognized Israel and diplomatic relations were normalized. At the same time, Mitsotakis also promoted diplomatic relations with Palestinian leadership. Today, the relationship between the two countries is close, especially in terms of economic, energy and military cooperation. For Israelis, Greece remains an attractive vacation destination — if only because of its geographical proximity — and Greek food and music are very popular in Israel. Many Greek artists regularly perform in Israel. Most recently, popular singer Glykeria faced backlash after announcing she would perform view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Int'l Business Times
5 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Thais And Cambodians Refuse To Quit Homes On Clash Frontier
Under the drumbeat of artillery fire near Thailand's border with Cambodia, farmer Samuan Niratpai refuses to abandon his buffalo herd -- stubbornly risking his life to tend his livestock. "At 5:00am every day, I hear the loud bangs and booms. Then I run into the woods for cover," the 53-year-old told AFP in the village of Baan Bu An Nong in Surin province, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the fraught frontier. His family of five fled to the capital Bangkok on the first day of clashes on Thursday, but he remains behind with their flock of chickens, three dogs and 14 prized buffalo. "How could I leave these buffaloes?" he asked, his eyes brimming with emotion. "I'd be so worried about them. After the strikes I go and console them, telling them 'It's okay. We're together'." Thailand and Cambodia's clashes have entered their fourth day after a festering dispute over sacred temples ignited into cross-border combat being waged with jets, tanks and group troops. Peace talks between leaders are scheduled for Monday in Malaysia, the Thai government has said. In the meantime, at least 34 people have been killed on both sides, mostly civilians, and more than 200,000 have fled their homes along the 800-kilometre border -- a rural area patched with rubber and rice farms. But on both sides of the tree-clad ridge marking the boundary between the two countries there are many who refuse to evacuate. As nearby blasts shake Cambodian restauranteur Soeung Chhivling's eaterie she continues to prepare a beef dish, declining to abandon the kitchen where she cooks for troops and medics mobilised to fight Thailand. "I am also scared, but I want to cook so they have something to eat," said the 48-year-old, near a hospital where wounded civilians and troops are being treated. "I have no plan to evacuate unless jets drop a lot of bombs," she told AFP in Samraong city, just 20 kilometres from the Thai frontier, where most homes and shops are already deserted. Back on the Thai side, Pranee Ra-ngabpai, a researcher on Thai-Cambodian border issues and a local resident, said many who have chosen to stay behind -- like her own father -- are men who hold traditional and stoic values. "He is still there in the house right now and refuses to leave," Pranee said. "There's this mindset: 'If I die, I'd rather die at home' or 'I can't leave my cows'." Baan Bu An Nong has been designated a "red zone" -- meaning it is high risk for air strikes, artillery barrages and even gun battles between ground troops. But village co-leader Keng Pitonam, 55, is also reluctant to depart. Loading grass onto his three-wheeled cart to feed his livestock, he is now responsible for dozens of neighbours' animals as well as their homes. "I have to stay -- it's my duty," Keng told AFP. "I'm not afraid. I can't abandon my responsibilities," he said. "If someone like me -- a leader -- leaves the village, what would that say? I have to be here to serve the community, no matter what happens." His local temple has become a makeshift donation and rescue hub, parked with ambulances inside its perimeter. "I have to stay -- to be a spiritual anchor for those who remain," said the abbot, declining to give his name. "Whatever happens, happens." Huddled in a bunker just 10 kilometres from the border, Sutian Phiewchan spoke to AFP by phone, pausing as his words were interrupted by the crackle of gunfire. He remained behind to fulfil his obligations as a volunteer for the local civil defence force, activated to protect the roughly 40 people still staying there. "Everyone here is afraid and losing sleep," the 49-year-old said. "We're doing this without pay. But it's about protecting the lives and property of the people in our village." Farmer Samuan Niratpai refuses to evacuate from his village despite clashes on the Thai-Cambodia border AFP Keng Pitonam is now responsible for dozens of neighbours' animals as well as their homes AFP Samuan Niratpai's village has been designated a "red zone" for artillery strikes AFP Soeung Chhivling prepares food for customers at her restaurant in Samraong, around 20 kilometres from the border conflict zone AFP
