Spanish military planes have dropped 26 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
This came as Spain’s government called on Israel to open land border crossings to prevent a famine.
“Spain insists on the opening of the land crossings as an indispensable measure to avoid a famine situation,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The operation, carried out in coordination with Jordan and co-financed by the European Union, dropped more than 11,000 food rations.
It targeted multiple locations in northern Gaza.
Aircraft from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Germany also participated in this vital operation.
Spain’s inclusion signifies a significant enhancement to Jordan’s endeavors in rallying international support to alleviate the famine-stricken population’s plight exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli aggression, particularly during the sacred month of Ramadan.
Other Western countries, including the U.S and France have also resorted to air drops to deliver aid to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting UNRWA, the United Nations humanitarian agency for Palestinians, and to its continued existence.
In January, major donors to UNRWA, including the US and Germany, suspended funding following allegations that around 12 of its tens of thousands of Palestinian employees were suspected of involvement in the attacks on Israel by Hamas which triggered the war.
Meanwhile, a rights group accused Israel of placing an “array of obstacles” on aid to Gaza.
In response to Israeli claims that it is allowing unimpeded relief into the Gaza Strip, Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement stated that Israel blocks so-called “dual-use” items needed for the humanitarian response and bans the sourcing of aid in Israel or the occupied West Bank.
The rights group also said that Israel routinely refuses to coordinate aid convoys to north Gaza, has cut off electricity and water supply since late October, “limits fuel, and denies humanitarians’ visas.”
Tania Hary, the organisation’s executive director, also said that in a week’s time, the country’s supreme court will hold a hearing on Gisha’s petition along with other rights groups to get Israel to meet its obligations to civilians in Gaza.
Gazans Told To Avoid Aid Centres Amid Israeli Attacks
Also on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Gaza’s health ministry issued an appeal for residents in central and northern Gaza not to go to the al-Rashid and Kuwait Roundabout areas to collect aid parcels because of the danger from Israeli attacks.
The appeal comes after two people waiting for aid at the Kuwait Roundabout were severely wounded after being shot by Israeli snipers.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry asked people not to gather around humanitarian relief convoys but to wait for aid to be distributed through “popular committees”.
It also said the health system in central and northern Gaza can no longer treat the dozens wounded every day in Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials disclosed that at least 18 Palestinians have died trying to recover airdropped aid in Gaza.
Mahmoud Bassel, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense rescue service, said that six bodies were recovered after a large group of men swam out into the Mediterranean Sea on Monday to fetch aid parcels.
“Sometimes it falls into the sea, sometimes on civilians, sometimes on houses, sometimes on Israeli territory beyond the border fence,” Bassel was quoted as saying.
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