UAE conducts 79th airdrop in support of Gaza

The UAE has sent another round of aid to the Gaza Strip, completing its 79th airdrop in cooperation with Jordan, in an effort to meet the urgent demands of the enclave's residents as they undergo dire humanitarian conditions. 

It comes days after a UN-backed body declared famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas, adding that it is likely to spread.

The data released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system confirmed that 514,000 people - close to a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza - are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end of September.

The airdrop included quantities of essential food supplies, prepared with the support of Emirati charitable organisations and institutions.

With this delivery, the total amount of aid provided by the UAE through the operation has surpassed 4,052 tonnes, covering food and essential relief materials.

The latest airdrop coincided with the UAE loading its ninth aid ship containing 7,000 tonnes of essential food supplies, with it set to head for Gaza in the coming days.

According to national news agency Wam, 697 aid trucks from the UAE, carrying humanitarian and medical aid, have entered Gaza between July 28 and August 23.