During Donald Trump’s presidency, U.S. officials dismissed the idea of airdropping aid into Gaza, calling it impractical and incapable of meeting the needs of over two million besieged residents. While the former administration expressed concern about famine, it never regarded such drops as a serious solution, knowing they could not replace the urgent necessity of opening land crossings.

Humanitarian agencies have long criticised airdrops as dangerous and symbolic gestures that do little to alleviate hunger. Heavy parcels have already killed at least four people in Gaza, including a child in Al-Nuseirat, while dozens more were injured rushing towards supplies that fell from the sky. For families on the brink of starvation, these “death drops” are a cruel reminder of aid denied.

Despite this, airdrop operations were resumed on 26 July, widely seen as a move to deflect global outrage over Israel’s blockade. Yet the amount dropped represents less than 0.5% of Gaza’s daily needs, offering an illusion of relief while famine continues to tighten its grip.

The World Food Programme has stressed that only land routes can deliver aid at the scale required, with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warning that airdrops may do more harm than good. For Palestinians waiting in hunger, the question remains painfully clear: why are parachutes falling instead of borders opening?