Gaza – Ottawa – Zaytoun News
The Canadian government announced it had carried out its first airdrop of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip using a CC-130J Hercules military aircraft, which delivered approximately 9.7 tons of supplies. The operation was conducted in support of Global Affairs Canada amid the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza since October 2023.
In a joint press release, Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed that a Canadian Armed Forces Hercules C-130 aircraft conducted the airdrop of food aid into Gaza.
The aircraft took off from an airbase in Jordan.
Canada joined five other countries — Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, Germany, and Belgium — in dropping 120 packages of food aid for the people of Gaza.
Minister Anand noted on social media that she remains in contact with her Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, to ensure the delivery of Canadian aid by both air and land.
Canada also reiterated its criticism of Israel, stating that Israeli-imposed restrictions continue to block humanitarian access — a situation Ottawa described as a “violation of international humanitarian law,” according to an official statement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on social media: “The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is escalating rapidly.”
He added: “Canada is intensifying its efforts with international partners to establish a credible peace plan and will ensure aid moves forward at the necessary scale.”
This move comes as Ottawa announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations meeting in September, amid mounting international pressure on Israel as famine deepens in Gaza.
In a statement, Global Affairs Canada emphasized that ongoing Israeli restrictions on aid constitute a violation of international law “and must end immediately.”
The statement added: “Canada reiterates its calls for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations, including the opening of all crossings, expedited customs clearance, entry of all humanitarian goods into Gaza, and the issuance of long-term visas for relief workers.”
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the offensive, as international bodies accuse Israel of genocide and war crimes — charges that Israel denies.
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