Islamabad 2 August: On August 1st the German Bundeswehr started airdropping humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip. Two Luftwaffe transport planes released 34 pallets containing almost 14 tonnes of food and medical materials, provided by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization in coordination with the United Nations and local partners.
The aid operation coincided with the visit of German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to the occupied West Bank. He urged Israel to grant full humanitarian access to Gaza, warned against settler violence, and announced an additional €5 million ($5.7 million) in support for the UN World Food Programme
Neighboring European countries, including France, Spain, Italy, and the UK, joined the airlift effort. France on the same day dropped roughly 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid, facilitated by Jordanian, Emirati, and German support .
Humanitarian agencies have sharply criticized airdrops as insufficient and dangerous. Experts warn that only trucks—around 500–600 per day—can meet Gaza’s true needs, while air operations risk causing injuries or chaos on the ground.
Aid distribution has become perilous: since late May, more than 1,050 Palestinians have been killed when seeking aid—especially at sites run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—and over 4,800 injured, as gangs, crowd crushes, and gunfire cause chaos.
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U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ambassador Mike Huckabee are also in the region, visiting Gaza distribution sites amid mounting criticism of GHF operations and pushing for safer aid delivery plans. At least 91 Palestinians were killed and over 600 injured in just one day trying to access food, according to recent reports.
Aid Operations Snapshot (as of August 1, 2025)
| Country / Organization | Method | Quantity Dropped | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (Bundeswehr) | Air drop | ~14 tonnes (34 pallets) | First two flights began Aug 1 |
| France | Air drop | ~40 tonnes | Multiple flights from Jordan |
| Jordan / UAE / Spain | Joint airlift | Total ~148 tonnes via multiple flights since late July | |
| UN Agencies & NGOs | Ground access | ~200 trucks/day (max) | Still below pre-war levels |
The airdrops mark Germany’s first direct military contribution to Gaza since the conflict intensified. German leadership insists the operation is symbolic but underscores Germany’s commitment to alleviate suffering. Still, experts and aid organizations emphasize that only land-based convoys—unimpeded by blockades—can offer sustainable relief for Gaza’s growing famine crisis.
