UAE starting Gaza aid airdrops ‘immediately’, says foreign minister
Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan has announced the UAE will begin airdropping aid into Gaza “immediately”, saying the humanitarian crisis there “has reached a critical and unprecedented level”.
“We will ensure essential aid reaches those most in need, whether through land, air or sea. Air drops are resuming once more, immediately,” said al-Nahyan in a post on X. “Our commitment to alleviating suffering and providing support is resolute and unwavering.”
Plans for airdrops – typically a last resort in crisis zones – have drawn criticism from aid officials urging Israel to allow more trucks in instead.
Earlier, as we reported, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called airdrops an expensive, inefficient “distraction” that would “not reverse the deepening starvation”. He called for Israel to “lift the siege, open the gates [and] guarantee safe movements [and] dignified access to people in need”.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical and unprecedented level. The United Arab Emirates remains at the forefront of efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to the Palestinian people. We will ensure essential aid reaches those most in need, whether through…
— عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) July 26, 2025
Too late to save face, now you're only playing into Netanyahu's hand book. It's too late for air drops. They will only increase the chaos. Flood of aid over land is needed with specialized teams to save children from many months of starvation and malnourishment.
Gaza aid airdrops to begin tonight: Israeli military
An Israeli army spokesperson has said the airdrop will include seven aid parcels containing flour, sugar, and food preserves provided by international organisations.
“In addition, it was decided that humanitarian corridors will be defined that will allow safe movement of UN convoys and aid organisations to bring food and medicine to the population,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The military also said it was “prepared for humanitarian pauses in areas where there are population concentrations” in Gaza.
As we’ve been reporting, UN officials and top humanitarian groups have said airdrops will not meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza who are suffering under the Israeli-imposed blockade and policy of starvation.
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) also said earlier today that airdrops will not reverse starvation in Gaza. “They are expensive, inefficient & can even kill starving civilians. It is a distraction,” Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X.
Enough with the gaslighting, ceasefire now and unlimited access for the UN to do their job.
