Latest news with #JordanianArmedForces
Arab News
4 days ago
- General
- Arab News
From aboard a Jordanian Air Force jet dropping aid over Gaza, Arab News witnesses devastation firsthand
AMMAN: Gaza's beachfront was once a lifeline for Palestinians — a place where cafes bustled, fishermen hauled in their catch, and people living under a 17-year siege could cling to a fragile sense of normalcy. Today, the view from high overhead aboard a Royal Jordanian Air Force flight dropping aid onto the war-ravaged enclave shows that little of this once-vibrant seaside community now remains. Nearly two years of intense Israeli bombardment have left Gaza in ruins. Many blocks are filled with crumbling buildings and piles of ash-gray rubble, while other neighborhoods have been erased entirely, leaving behind empty voids. Along the shoreline, tents are now scattered where homes once stood, sheltering families displaced by the fighting. Arab News joined one of the near-daily humanitarian flights, which the Jordanian Armed Forces resumed on July 27 in coordination with several countries, to drop aid over Gaza in response to reports of rising starvation. From the air, people and cars could be seen moving through the rubble-strewn streets below — a stark glimpse of how Palestinians continue to navigate daily life amid devastation with little to no access to food, water, shelter, or medicine. Despite the routine humanitarian missions, crew members say comprehending the view from above never gets any easier. 'It's heartbreaking,' one crew member told Arab News as he helped load the C-130 military aircraft set to depart from King Abdullah II Air Base near Zarqa. 'It hits us the same way every day. Seeing the destruction in real life is nothing like watching it on TV, especially when you see the people on the ground.' Flying over Gaza after about nine months of suspended operations showed just how much the destruction has worsened since the first round of airdrops last year, he said. On Wednesday, seven aircraft — two from Jordan, two from Germany, and one each from the UAE, France, and Belgium — took off from the air base in Amman, dropping 54 tons of medical supplies, food, and baby formula over Gaza from an altitude of about 2,500 feet. Humanitarian organizations say airdrops offer only a tiny fraction of what is needed to sustain the 2.2 million people in Gaza, where the UN warned of an 'unfolding famine.' The situation in Gaza deteriorated after Israel blocked all aid shipments for two and a half months following the collapse of a six-week ceasefire in March. Since it eased the blockade in late May, Israel has allowed in a trickle of UN aid trucks — about 70 a day on average, according to official Israeli figures. That is far below the 500 to 600 trucks a day that UN agencies say are needed. The aid, which was dropped on Wednesday, is equivalent to less than three. While military officials confirmed that the aid provided through airdrops is insufficient, they believe what they are doing is making a difference. 'We are proud that we are able to support with whatever we can. It's our humanitarian duty,' one crew member told Arab News. A ground operations supervisor said Jordan's role in leading international aid efforts fills him with pride. 'Our teams work around the clock, and we are proud of the tremendous effort being made on the ground,' he told Arab News. 'We feel like we are doing something, regardless how minimal, to help people living in heartbreaking conditions.' Since the airdrops resumed, 379 tons of aid have been delivered, according to military data. So far, the Jordanian Armed Forces has carried out 142 missions, in addition to 299 joint airdrops conducted in coordination with Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, and Spain. Israel began allowing airdrops in response to growing international pressure over the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza. The measures include daily 10-hour pauses in fighting across three densely populated areas — Deir Al-Balah, Gaza City, and Al-Mawasi — along with the opening of limited humanitarian corridors to allow UN aid convoys into the strip. Despite these efforts, people in Gaza are continuing to succumb to starvation. According to local authorities, 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza, instead blaming any shortages on Hamas for allegedly stealing aid or on the UN for distribution failures. On July 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X: 'There is no policy of starvation in Gaza. There is no starvation in Gaza.' The hunger crisis is worsened by the deadly conditions surrounding aid distribution through four centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US and Israeli-backed logistics startup. Since their establishment in May, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access aid, according to UN estimates. The foundation has repeatedly denied these accusations. Israel is now facing renewed pressure to fully reopen land crossings and allow uninterrupted aid convoys to enter, as humanitarian groups stress that airdrops, while better than nothing, are no substitute for coordinated, large-scale deliveries by land. With no precision or coordination, airdrops tend to end up in the hands of whoever reaches them first rather than the most needy. Aid groups say airdrops can also pose a threat to life, landing on civilians or causing stampedes as desperate people rush to collect relief. However, a military official told Arab News the airdrops have the added advantage of reaching areas that are now inaccessible by road. 'Some neighborhoods are flattened to the ground. The road infrastructure in Gaza is destroyed. Therefore, we can reach areas that lorries cannot,' the official said. Flights are carried out with international missions to drop the aid at designated points across northern, central, and southern Gaza. On the Jordanian flight, each pallet was packed, sealed, and divided into half-ton units. Each box was packed with a mix of aid — including food, medicine, and baby formula — to meet the diverse needs of the people it would reach. Asked how long the air drops are likely to continue, a senior army official told Arab News: 'As long as we have the capability.' After takeoff at 11 a.m., the air force crew shouted instructions over the deafening roar of the C-130 aircraft, coordinating with the pilot and with each other through headphones. At noon, Gaza's landscape came into view along the wide stretch of shoreline. The journalists on board, who have long been barred from entering Gaza to report from the ground, were instructed not to photograph the devastation below. Ten minutes later, the plane descended to a lower altitude. The rear doors opened to reveal the vast, ravaged landscape. A countdown began before eight pallets, each weighing a ton, were released in two batches, parachuting into the unknown over Gaza. 'This is for you, Gaza. May God help you,' one crew member murmured, embracing his colleague as the aid disappeared from view. Then the doors closed. The aircraft turned back toward Amman, leaving behind only questions. Who would reach the aid first? Who would carry a box of food or medicine home to their family? Who would be left to wait for the next drop? Would another drop arrive?
Roya News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
'Israeli' settlers attack Jordanian aid convoy en route to Gaza
Jordan sent 26 trucks loaded with food aid to Gaza on Wednesday, as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts led by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), with direct support from the Jordanian Armed Forces. The convoy, initially planned to be part of a larger aid push, faced serious obstacles during transit through the occupied West Bank. Several trucks were vandalized and delayed for hours due to repeated attacks by 'Israeli' settlers. Despite Jordan's continued efforts, the number of trucks reaching Gaza has dropped to fewer than 30 per day, down from previous daily averages of 100 to 150, further worsening the humanitarian and health crisis in the besieged enclave. Dr. Hussein Shibli, JHCO's Secretary-General, condemned the 'systematic assaults' on aid convoys, calling them unacceptable and in violation of international law. 'These attacks will not deter us from our humanitarian duty to our people in Gaza,' Shibli said, adding that the sharp drop in aid deliveries reflects the severe restrictions imposed on the ground. He emphasized that Jordan, under royal directives, will continue sending aid convoys despite the challenges, in full coordination with the Jordanian military and partner organizations.
Jordan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan Times
JHCO says 26 trucks carrying emergency aid dispatched to Gaza
AMMAN — The Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), in direct coordination with the Jordanian Armed Forces -the Arab Army (JAF), said it dispatched 26 trucks carrying food supplies to the Gaza Strip as part of ongoing relief efforts to support the Palestinian people. The organisation said the convoy, which was supposed to be part of a larger flow of aid, faced obstacles on the ground, most notably repeated attacks by Israeli settlers while crossing the West Bank. Some trucks were delayed for hours, it said, adding that, despite sustained efforts, the number of aid trucks reaching the Gaza Strip has declined to fewer than 30 per day, compared to a previous average of 100 to 150. 'This further aggravates the humanitarian and health crisis facing civilians in the enclave,' JHCO said. Secretary-General of the JHCO Hussein Shibli condemned the ongoing 'systematic attacks' on humanitarian aid convoys, affirming that such actions will not deter the organisation from fulfilling its humanitarian duty toward the people of Gaza. He expressed concern over the significant decrease in the number of trucks reaching Gaza, attributing it to the obstacles imposed on the ground. He held the other side [Israel] 'fully responsible', noting that it continues to enforce a policy of siege and restrictions in clear violation of international and humanitarian law. Shibli stressed that Jordan under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah, will continue to dispatch relief convoys despite all challenges, in full coordination with the JAF and partner organisations.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
Jordanian army foils infiltration attempt on northern border
DUBAI: The Jordanian Armed Forces thwarted an attempt by an individual to illegally cross the country's northern border, state news agency Petra reported on Wednesday. The suspect was apprehended and referred to the relevant authorities. The incident follows similar infiltration attempts last week on both the eastern and northern borders of the country.
Jordan News
6 days ago
- Jordan News
Jordanian Army Foils Drug Smuggling Attempt via Drones from the West - Jordan News
A military source from the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army announced that the Southern Military Region, in coordination with military security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Department, successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle a quantity of narcotic substances on Tuesday morning. اضافة اعلان According to the statement, two unmanned drones attempted to cross the western front within the area of responsibility of the Southern Military Region. Border guard forces detected the drones, applied rules of engagement, and managed to intercept and down both drones inside Jordanian territory. The seized contraband was handed over to the competent authorities. The source emphasized that the Jordanian Armed Forces will continue to respond with strength and determination to any infiltration or smuggling attempts and will prevent anyone from compromising the nation's security.
