Jordan and Israel have collaborated to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to a field hospital in the Gaza Strip. Early Monday, King Abdullah II of Jordan announced that the Jordanian air force had successfully delivered the medical aid to the hospital, which has been operated by Jordan in the Gaza enclave since 2009.
King Abdullah II expressed the mission’s significance via X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “Our fearless air force personnel air-dropped at midnight urgent medical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza. This is our duty to aid our brothers and sisters injured in the war on Gaza. We will always stand with our Palestinian brethren.”
Israel’s military confirmed their involvement, revealing in a statement that they had coordinated with Jordan for this airdrop. The statement added that the airdrop also contained food supplies, emphasizing that the delivered equipment will be beneficial for medical staff and their patients.
Recent reports had indicated that the Jordanian field hospital was on the verge of closure due to a critical lack of supplies amidst the ongoing Israeli bombings. This was highlighted last month by Saudi Arabia’s Arab News, which cited an official suggesting the hospital faced an “existential threat.”
The situation in Gaza is dire, with humanitarian organizations flagging severe shortages of essentials like food, water, electricity, and fuel, primarily resulting from Israel’s blockade and bombing. A collective statement from the heads of 18 United Nations agencies and NGOs recently called the situation in Gaza “unacceptable” and emphasized the urgency of delivering aid promptly and efficiently.
This humanitarian gesture comes amidst heightened diplomatic activities in the region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a pivotal diplomatic tour, with recent stops in Israel, the occupied West Bank, Jordan, and Iraq.
Jordan has been vocal in its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Officials from the Hamas-governed region report a death toll of nearly 9,922 Palestinians. Jordan took a strong stance last week, recalling its ambassador to Israel, accusing Israel of instigating an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
