Jeremy Bowen: Air dropping aid in Gaza won't solve hunger, says expert

In various wars, aid has been dropped from aircraft and on the ground to help those in need. However, air dropping aid is not a long-term solution to end hunger in Gaza. A ceasefire and sustained aid operation are necessary for lasting impact.

For example, after the 1991 Gulf War in Iraqi Kurdistan, the US, UK, and others dropped aid from C-130 transport aircraft to thousands of people living in harsh conditions. While the aid was welcomed, there were risks involved, such as people running into minefields to retrieve supplies, resulting in casualties.

Similarly, during the siege of Mostar in Bosnia in 1993, aid pallets were air dropped, but they often landed in dangerous areas or inaccessible locations, limiting their effectiveness.

Professionals in relief operations see air dropping aid as a last resort, used when other means of access are unavailable. In the case of Gaza, there are alternative routes for aid delivery, such as through the port of Ashdod in Israel or the Jordanian border.

Dropping aid from the sky has limitations, as the supplies may not reach the intended recipients and can lead to competition and exploitation among those in need. It is a temporary measure that does not address the root causes of the crisis.

According to the source: BBC.