Humanitarian aid airdropped onto Gaza (Photo: YouTube screenshot)
Israel says skies are secured and food is reaching civilians; PM challenges world to step up relief efforts.
By David Brummer, World Israel News
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called on more countries to join in airdropping humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“Any country that truly wants to help is welcome to join us,” Netanyahu said in a message posted to the prime minister’s official X account.
“Hamas stole food from its own people. Israel acted,” he wrote.
“We airdropped aid to Gazan civilians and called on other nations to join us. Some have already done so. We secured the skies, secured the drops, and made sure the food got through.”
Shortly after Netanyahu issued the statement statement, the IDF confirmed that 32 aid packages had been dropped over Gaza in the past several hours.
The operation was carried out with the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Egypt, the IDF said. It emphasized that the effort was executed “in accordance with the directives of the political leadership.”
In a follow-up statement, the military reiterated its ongoing coordination with international partners to improve humanitarian access. It dismissed accusations of deliberately starving the population, calling them “unfounded.”
The airdrops are part of a broader Israeli strategy to bypass logistical bottlenecks and ensure food reaches civilians directly.
Three distribution centers are also operating in southern and central Gaza, though officials have acknowledged their limited reach.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday.
Israeli sources say Witkoff plans to tour aid distribution hubs operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. His goal, according to U.S. officials, is to find ways to boost aid delivery amid growing international concern.
One American official described the visit as a “last-ditch effort” to improve the situation and help facilitate a broader agreement.
This will be Witkoff’s first trip to Israel since Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander was released in May.
Meanwhile, negotiations over a possible hostage release remain deadlocked.
Qatar’s Al Araby TV reported that Israel has delivered a revised response to Hamas via mediators.
The updated proposal includes changes on troop redeployment and withdrawal timelines, but it maintains Israel’s opposition to exchanging hostage remains for Palestinian prisoners.
Israel is also insisting on holding its positions along the Philadelphi Corridor.
Despite the diplomatic stalemate, Netanyahu’s message was clear: Israel will continue its aid efforts—and expects others to do the same.
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