U.S. begins airdropping food in Gaza, but it's a less-than-ideal means of aid delivery

This photo provided by the French Army shows an airdrop over the Gaza Strip on Jan. 4.

TEL AVIV, Israel – The U.S. military on Saturday began dropping food over the Gaza Strip, a war-torn enclave desperate for humanitarian aid.

A U.S. official told NPR that three U.S. C-130 aircraft have begun to provide aid to civilians in Gaza, joining French and Jordanian efforts.

The aircraft dropped 66 bundles of halal meals ready to eat (roughly 40,000 meals) to southwest Gaza, being careful to drop them in an open area away from any crowds, the official said, adding there is “potential for follow-on aid.” President Biden on Friday said the U.S. would carry out airdrops in coming days, “redouble our efforts to open a maritime corridor, and expand deliveries by land.”