US makes its first Gaza aid airdrop as mediators to seek truce deal
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
CAIRO (Reuters) -The United States military carried out its first airdrop of humanitarian aid into Gaza on Saturday, U.S. officials said, and aid agencies warned of a growing humanitarian disaster in the Palestinian enclave as Israel pressed on with its offensive.
Three C-130 planes delivered more than 38,000 meals into a territory where the United Nations says one quarter of the population is one step from famine, and Palestinians posted videos on social media showing boxes of aid being dropped.
A U.S. official told Reuters the airdrops took place over southwestern Gaza and the town of Mawasi.
The White House has said the airdrops will be a sustained effort, and that Israel supports the operation. Critics say airdrops have only a limited impact and it is nearly impossible to ensure supplies do not end up in the hands of militants.
With talks in Egypt set to resume on Sunday, a senior U.S. official said the framework for a deal on a six-week ceasefire was in place, with Israel's agreement, and depended on the militant group Hamas agreeing to release hostages.
«The hostages have to be released,» the official told reporters. «The deal is basically there. But I don't want to create expectations one way or the other.»
U.S Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House on Monday, a White House official told Reuters.
In Jerusalem, thousands of Israelis marched to demand the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Protesters, led by families of hostages seized during Hamas' deadly rampage through southern Israel on Oct. 7, arrived at the city at sundown.
RAFAH AIRSTRIKE
In Gaza, the health ministry said at least 11 Palestinians were killed when an
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