German Military Halts Airlift to Gaza
Over the past year, the German Air Force has played a crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip's civilians. This support included a humanitarian airlift established in mid-March, but now, this operation has come to a conclusion - only two days after the US had to halt their aid in the Mediterranean.
Germany's air transportation efforts are no more - a German A400M aircraft took off from Jordan for the last time on Tuesday. Throughout the course of the initiative, which began in March, 315 tons of food, water, and other critical materials have been safely dropped in the Palestinian territory. The statement assured that the international community will now handle the delivery of supplies via alternative transportation systems.
In March, the German government decided to deploy their aircraft for the operation. Two C-130J Super Hercules planes from the joint Franco-German Air Transport Squadron in Évreux, Normandy, were temporarily stationed in Jordan. Initially, French soldiers onsite assisted with the loading process. However, towards the beginning of April, the operation transitioned to two A400Ms, which were equipped with a unique cargo release system.
Prior to this year, the German Air Force had already distributed humanitarian relief to civilians affected by the Gaza War multiple times. Only a few days before Christmas, an A400M completed three trips to Egypt and Jordan on behalf of the Foreign Office to deliver essential supplies.
The Gaza Strip remains in dire straits following a protracted war between Israel and the radical Islamic group Hamas, lasting nearly eight months. The region is severely lacking in necessary resources to survive, as international aid deliveries reach this marooned area infrequently. When fatal incidents occurred during emergency humanitarian airdrops, Hamas authorities demanded an end to aerial airdrops. Reports state that at least 21 civilian fatalities were linked to the international community's airdrops.
The US military had attempted to establish a temporary pier off the Palestinian coast to facilitate direct deliveries of relief supplies. However, the provisional structure was severely damaged by high waves on Tuesday, putting a temporary standstill on delivery operations.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas violently attacked Israel, leading to an Israeli counteroffensive in the coastal area. Subsequently, Israel launched large-scale military missions in the Gaza Strip ever since. Affected by the ongoing turmoil, Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reports that more than 36,200 people have lost their lives during this period. The Israeli data do not match, indicating a considerably lower figure.
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- Despite the halt in German airlifts, the international community must continue delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian territory continues to leave the region critically resourceless.
- The German Armed Forces have a history of providing humanitarian relief to civilians, having distributed essential supplies to the Gaza Strip following previous wars, as well as during the current crisis, using unique cargo release systems on A400M aircraft.
- The ceasefire calls from the United Nations and the precautionary arrests aimed at preventing Islamist terror threats have not deterred the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, with reports indicating over 36,000 civilian casualties since October 2023, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.
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