Why US air drops in Gaza were never a serious option for the Trump administration
One source said it is seen as an unrealistic option because airdrops would not come close to meeting the needs of 2.1 million Palestinians.
This comes even as close U.S. allies including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Britain have carried out air drops of assistance to Gaza.
Humanitarian aid groups have long been critical of air drops of aid, calling them more symbolic than truly effective when the scale of the need in Gaza requires open land routes for large amounts of aid to enter the enclave.
The heavy packages could also present a danger to civilians on the ground rushing toward the parachuting aid.
"It just hasn't been part of the discussions," said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal Trump administration deliberations.
A source familiar with the issue said: "It hasn't been a serious consideration because it's not really a serious option at this moment."
Some U.S. officials war-gamed the option and found "it's absolutely unrealistic," said the source familiar with the matter. The source said it was unknown how "big a lift capacity" could be managed even if the Israelis approved U.S. use of the airspace.
A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was unaware of any U.S. interest in participating in the air drop effort.
Another official in a U.S.-allied country which is taking part in the airdrops said there had been no conversations with the United States about Washington taking part in the effort.
The official added that the United States was not providing logistical support for the airdrops being carried out by other countries.
Asked for comment, a White House official said the administration was open to "creative solutions" to the issue.
"President Trump has called for creative solutions 'to help the Palestinians' in Gaza. We welcome any effective effort that delivers food to Gazans and keeps it out of the hands of Hamas," the White House official said.
Israel began allowing food air drops in late July, as global concern mounted about the humanitarian toll in Gaza from the war.
Mounting pressure on Israel
Trump has backed efforts by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute aid to Gazans. He has said the U.S. would work with other countries to provide more humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including food and sanitation.
But he has also expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict, saying Hamas leaders would now be "hunted down", telling reporters on July 26: "Hamas really didn't want to make a deal. I think they want to die. And it's very bad. And it got to be to a point where you're going to have to finish the job."
Israel faces intensifying international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its promotion of GHF's aid operation, which has distribution sites only in southern Gaza and has been called dangerous and ineffective by aid groups and the United Nations - claims the group denies.
As the death toll from two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fuelling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.
Biden faced enormous pressure from fellow Democrats to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. In addition to aid drops of food assistance including ready-to-eat meals, Biden ordered the U.S. military to construct a temporary pier off Gaza for aid to be delivered to the enclave.
The pier, announced by the former president during a televised address to Congress in March 2024, was a massive endeavour that took about 1,000 U.S. forces to execute.
But bad weather and distribution challenges inside Gaza limited the effectiveness of what the U.S. military says was its biggest aid delivery effort ever in the Middle East. The pier was only operational for about 20 days and cost about $230 million.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Crafty Ukrainian soldiers develop Mad Max-style truck with huge spikes to defend against deadly Russian drones
The truck was seen yesterday north of front line city Donetsk THORN IN VLAD'S SIDE Crafty Ukrainian soldiers develop Mad Max-style truck with huge spikes to defend against deadly Russian drones CRAFTY Ukrainian soldiers have developed a vehicle fitted with huge spikes to defend against Russian drones. The Mad Max-style truck has been equipped with the cage contraption to block the enemy's deadly devices. Advertisement 5 Ukrainian soldiers have developed a vehicle fitted with huge spikes to defend against Russian drones Credit: Getty 5 The truck is equipped with a cage contraption to block the enemy's deadly devices Credit: AP 5 The truck was seen north of front line city Donetsk Credit: Reuters This makeshift armour is fitted to what looks to be a US-made Humvee. It was seen yesterday north of front line city Donetsk, where fierce fighting between President Volodymyr Zelensky's Ukrainian military and invading Russian troops continues. It is now almost completely deserted, with most residents fleeing the onslaught from Vladimir Putin's war machine. Meanwhile, a giant paint plant in Yaroslavl, Russia — making special coatings for protection of military equipment — was pictured engulfed in flames yesterday following an attack by Ukraine. Advertisement Russia has also been bulking up its vehicles with the protective add-ons, so much so in some cases that it is impossible to tell what the vehicle even is. Last month, combat footage showed what observers identified as a Russian tank shielded by a large cage, significant amounts of netting, and some other material. President Trump floated the idea of a territorial exchange as part of a potential deal, a proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected. He said: "There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. Advertisement "This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine." 5 A paint plant in Yaroslavl, Russia - making special coatings for protection of military equipment - pictured engulfed in flames Credit: East2West 5 President Trump has floated the idea of a territorial exchange as part of a potential deal, a proposal President Zelensky has rejected Credit: Getty
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Watch: Mary Robinson speaks out against Israel's aid embargo on visit to Gaza crossing point
Wheelchairs, crutches, and children's books were among the essential items that Israel is deliberately blocking from entering Gaza, according to a firsthand account from former president of Ireland Mary Robinson during her visit to the Rafah crossing. The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spoke passionately from the location which lies between Egypt and Gaza. She formed part of a delegation from The Elders, which was convened by Nelson Mandela in 2007 and advocates for peace across the world. The group also included former prime minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In a video posted to the organisation's Instagram, page Mrs Robinson said: "We have seen in the warehouse the tents that have not been delivered, the generators that have not been delivered, the wheelchairs, the crutches, the children's books and other things that have not been delivered. 'But some food is getting in. "It was interesting to talk to a driver who was rejected for the second time because of minor problems, even though there is very good checking, as we know by the Egyptian Red Crescent and by the UN in collaboration.' She expressed concern that Israel is deliberately blocking aid from reaching people who are starving, with some aid trucks facing rejection and added: We know many [trucks] are rejected often for no reason at all. "Although people are working on this side, people are not working as hard on the other side. 'All of the obstruction is on the other side. It is utterly devastating to see the sheer volume of vital materials sitting there. Oxygen tanks, generators, wheelchairs, crutches, it's unbelievable.' 'Unfolding genocide and famine' In a subsequent statement, the Elders delegation described the events in Gaza as 'unfolding genocide and famine". They also emphasised the need for international sanctions on Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his country's security cabinet. The group is pleading with other countries to abandon shipments of weapons to Israel as the death toll among Palestinians reaches 60,000. "The uncomfortable truth is that many states are prioritising their own economic and security interests, even as the world is reeling from the images of Gazan children starving to death,' they said following their three-day visit. Ireland joins condemnation of Israel's actions It comes after Tánaiste Simon Harris lent his name to a joint statement alongside 24 other foreign ministers condemning the actions of Israel. 'The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes,' the statement read. 'Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised. 'However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs [non-governmental organisations] may be forced to leave the OPTs [Occupied Palestinian Territories] imminently, which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further."
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
White House says 23 arrested after hundreds of federal officers deploy to DC
About 850 officers and agents took part in a 'massive law enforcement surge' across Washington DC on Monday night and made nearly two dozen arrests, the White House has said. The show of force came after Donald Trump announced that he was sending the national guard into the capital and putting city police under federal control, even though the violent crime rate is at a 30-year low. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday: 'As part of the president's massive law enforcement surge, last night approximately 850 officers and agents were surged across the city. They made a total of 23 arrests, including multiple other contacts.' The arrests consisted of homicide, firearms offences, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts and stalking, Leavitt added. 'A total of six illegal handguns were seized off of District of Columbia's streets as part of last night's effort.' Leavitt added: 'This is only the beginning. Over the course of the next month, the Trump administration will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the district who breaks the law, undermines public safety and endangers law-abiding Americans.' Leavitt used to briefing to argue that opinion polls show broad public backing for the crackdown on crime and that Democrats and the media are out of touch. In a bizarre interlude, the first question went to podcast host Benny Johnson, who delivered a monologue about crimes he had suffered during his 15 years as a Washington DC resident. 'To any reporter that says and lies that DC is a safe place to live and work, let me just say this,' he said, looking at Leavitt, 'Thank you. Thank you for making the city safe.' Johnson followed up by asking if Trump would consider giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 'Big Balls', whose real name is Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer, for his 'heroic actions' in an attempted carjacking in Washington last week. Leavitt replied: 'I haven't spoken to him about that, but perhaps it's something he would consider.' The press secretary also told reporters that homeless people have the option be taken to a homeless shelter and offered addiction and/or mental health services. 'If they refuse, they will be susceptible to fines or to jail time. These are pre-existing laws that are already on the books. They have not been enforced.' Trump's intervention has been widely condemned as an authoritarian power grab that undermines the autonomy of Washington's DC local government and seeks to distract attention from political problems such as the Jeffrey Epstein files. Earlier, Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington DC, pledged to work 'side by side' with the federal government as national guard troops arrived at their headquarters in the capital. Speaking after a meeting with the attorney general, Pam Bondi, at the justice department, Bowser told reporters: 'I won't go into the details of our operational plan at this point but you will see the Metropolitan police department (MPD) working side by side with our federal partners in order to enforce the effort that we need around the city.' Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a news conference on President Donald Trump's plan to place Washington police under federal control and deploy National guard troops. File picture: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Bowser has cultivated a delicate working relationship with Trump since his return to power in January, avoiding direct confrontations when possible. On Tuesday, she struck a conciliatory note and said she would try to make the most of the extra resources to fight crime. 'What I'm focused on is the federal surge and how to make the most of the additional officer support that we have,' she said. 'We have the best in the business at MPD and chief Pamela Smith to lead that effort and to make sure that the men and women who are coming from federal law enforcement are being well used and that, if there is national guard here, that they're being well used and all in an effort to drive down crime. 'So, how we got here or what we think about the circumstances right now, we have more police and we want to make sure we're using them.' However, other Democratic mayors across the country have adopted a different tone, warning Trump against expanding his law and order power grab in other major cities. Trump told reporters on Monday: 'We have other cities also that are bad,' citing the Democratic strongholds of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. 'And then, of course, you have Baltimore and Oakland. You don't even mention them any more, they're so far gone.' Stephen Miller, an influential White House deputy chief of staff, stepped up the rhetoric on Tuesday, tweeting without evidence: 'Crime stats in big blue cities are fake. The real rates of crime, chaos & dysfunction are orders of magnitude higher. Everyone who lives in these areas knows this. They program their entire lives around it. Democrats are trying to unravel civilization. Pres Trump will save it.' All five cities named by Trump are run by Black mayors. Most were outspoken in denouncing the president's move. Brandon Johnson, Chicago's mayor, said in a statement: 'Sending in the national guard would only serve to destabilize our city and undermine our public safety efforts.' Brandon Scott, the mayor of Baltimore, said: 'When it comes to public safety in Baltimore, he should turn off the rightwing propaganda and look at the facts. Baltimore is the safest it's been in over 50 years.' Barbara Lee, the mayor of Oakland, wrote on X: 'President Trump's characterization of Oakland is wrong and based in fear-mongering in an attempt to score cheap political points.' Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, where troops were sent earlier this month in a crackdown on protests, posted: 'Another experiment by the Administration, another power grab from local government. This is performative. This is a stunt. It always has been and always will be.' Trump took command of the Washington DC police department and deployed the national guard under laws and constitutional powers that give the federal government more sway over the nation's capital than other cities. But Democrats raised concerns that Washington DC could be a blueprint for similar strong-arm tactics elsewhere. Christina Henderson, a Washington DC at-large councilmember, told CNN on Tuesday: 'I was listening to the president's press conference yesterday, and I think it should be concerning to all Americans that he talked about other cities. 'The District of Columbia, for decades, without statehood, has always been used as a petri dish, where Congress or the federal government is trying out ideas here. So, I would hope that folks don't lose sight of what's happening in the district. And even if they don't live here, they fight hard with us.' California's governor, Gavin Newsom, warned that Trump 'will gaslight his way into militarising any city he wants in America'. JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, insisted that the president 'has absolutely no right and no legal ability to send troops into the city of Chicago, and so I reject that notion'. He added: 'You've seen that he doesn't follow the law. I have talked about the fact that the Nazis in Germany in the 30s tore down a constitutional republic in just 53 days. It does not take much, frankly, and we have a president who seems hell-bent on doing just that.' — The Guardian
