Biden’s Airdrops of Food and Supplies to Gaza May Aid Hamas and Prolong War – Guy D. McCardle
Biden’s Initiative
In a significant announcement from US President Joe Biden on March 1st, an initiative to commence the first military airdrop of food and essentials into Gaza was unveiled following the deaths of Palestinians in line for aid, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis in the densely populated region. Biden disclosed the airdrop plan is set for the near future, though details remain sparse. This decision follows similar efforts by nations such as Jordan and France, marking a concerted international response to the crisis.
“We’re stepping up our game, and the US is going to bring more to the table,”
Biden conveyed to the press, emphasizing the current inadequacy of aid reaching Gaza. The White House’s John Kirby further detailed the initiative, indicating a commitment to ongoing support with the initial drop consisting of military-grade MREs (meals-ready-to-eat).
“This is just the beginning,” Kirby underscored.
Additionally, Biden hinted at the exploration of a maritime corridor for substantial aid delivery into Gaza, suggesting a broader strategy to address the dire needs of the region.
Kicking Off Soon
According to officials, This move could kick off as soon as this weekend. The UN‘s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports a dire situation, with approximately 576,000 individuals in Gaza, a quarter of its population, on the brink of famine. The context is a nearly five-month conflict initiated by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, leading to a desperate humanitarian situation exacerbated by recent events.
Israel attributes the unfortunate deaths at aid distributions to the chaos and accidents among the crowds while also stating that its forces have responded to perceived threats in a restrained manner. Amidst this, the populace resorts to extreme measures for survival, including consuming animal feed and cactuses, as the UN flags significant hurdles in delivering aid.
The logistical aspects of the airdrop, possibly involving aircraft like the C-17 and C-130, are seen as within the US military’s capability, noted by retired Air Force General David Deptula. “We’re equipped for challenges, and nothing is beyond our reach,” Deptula remarked, emphasizing the feasibility of this mission.
Potential Ceasefire During Ramadan
The prospect of a temporary ceasefire, hoped by Biden to precede the Ramadan starting March 10, is also on the agenda, potentially facilitating aid efforts.
However, the efficacy of airdrops into Gaza has been debated, with concerns about aid reaching the intended recipients and not being diverted by Hamas, given the absence of US forces on the ground. Critics argue that while airdrops may offer temporary relief, they do not address the underlying issues necessitating open land borders for substantial aid delivery.
In the face of domestic and international pressures, the Biden administration is considering alternatives, including sea shipments from Cyprus. Yet, the challenges of delivering aid into conflict zones, especially densely populated ones like Gaza, are formidable.
As the US pushes for Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, Kirby acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting previous Israeli efforts and their support for the US initiative. Despite the challenges and potential for missteps, as evidenced by Biden’s mix-up of Gaza with Ukraine in his announcement, the global community’s focus remains on alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the UN and other agencies striving to deliver essential supplies amidst the ongoing conflict.
Something to Remember
War is a horrible, bloody business, and the duration of these conflicts should be shortened to the extent possible. Civilians and other innocents are wounded or killed; no one wants to see this, but it is inevitable. It is one of the many, many unfortunate realities of armed conflict. The United States, in my humble opinion, should be doing everything we can to shorten the war in Gaza. Providing aid in the manner proposed by President Biden is not going to do that.
Many of the supplies that we send will not end up in the hands of their intended recipients; they will end up in the hands of Hamas terrorists, fortifying them to continue their fight. And, the longer the fighting continues, the more people will die, soldiers and civilians alike on both sides. These massive aid packages are largely a political stunt, designed to make our President look magnanimous in a election year. It is akin to good-natured enablement, where a parent may give their wayward drug-addicted child money for food, which they immediately turn around and spend on something to shoot into their veins.
Let’s not forget that even as President Biden is pushing for a cease-fire and is sending food and medical aid to Gaza, he is also sending precision-guided munitions (21,000 sent thus far) and other weapons to the Israeli, a nation responding the worst ever terror attack on their soil.
I’m not saying that arming our ally is a bad thing; I’m merely exposing Biden’s hypocrisy. It like pouring gasoline on a fire then franticly sending fire fighters to put it out…over and over and over again.
