Ottawa says it’s working to airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza as soon as possible
Global News
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said Ottawa was exploring new options to deliver aid to the besieged Palestinian territory as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen’s office confirmed late Wednesday that Canada is working to airdrop humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
Olivia Batten, a spokesperson for Hussen, specified that no airlifts would happen using Canadian military aircraft.
Hussen said earlier on Wednesday that Ottawa was exploring new options to deliver aid to the besieged Palestinian territory as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues.
He said “airdrops of aid into Gaza, in partnership with like-minded countries like Jordan,” was on the table.
“I just came back from the region, and Canadian aid is making a difference,” he told reporters on Parliament Hill.
After visits to Jordan and Egypt last week, Hussen said the provision of aid to Palestinian civilians is nowhere near what’s needed.
He said a tedious inspection process at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza was slowing down the movement of supplies brought in by truck.
Canada has put $100 million toward aid for the besieged territory since the start of the conflict, including $40 million committed last month.