In a bid to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Biden administration has facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid through three flights facilitated by the U.S. military. On Tuesday, the first flight arrived in Egypt, carrying medical supplies, food, and winter supplies to support the civilian population in Gaza, especially as the region enters its rainy season. These flights, along with daily truck deliveries of assistance, are part of the U.S.'s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under Israeli blockade since the attacks by Hamas in October.

Senior U.S. administration officials emphasized that these humanitarian efforts are separate from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with President Biden reiterating the United States' commitment to helping Palestinian civilians with their basic needs. Since President Biden's visit to the region in October, over 2,000 trucks have been delivering essential supplies such as food, water, medical assistance, shelter, and fuel. However, the officials acknowledge that this is far from sufficient to meet the normal needs of the population in Gaza. Therefore, the U.S. continues to push for additional steps, including the restoration of the flow of commercial goods and additional basic services.

The aid provided by the military flights will be distributed to civilians by the United Nations, aiming to mitigate the dire situation on the ground. Furthermore, the U.S. plans to establish field hospitals in the region, with some already being established in South Gaza. Vaccines, clean water, and sanitation equipment are also part of the aid being delivered to prevent the outbreak of diseases like cholera or typhoid. This humanitarian mission is part of President Biden's commitment to providing $100 million in assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, as announced last month.

The recent pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas has allowed for the release of dozens of women and children held by the designated terrorist group. However, officials stress that the humanitarian aid and hostage releases are not connected. Despite this positive development, the U.S. remains determined to sustain increased levels of assistance to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the Hamas-run Health Ministry estimating that over 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. Israel disputes these figures, while also reporting over 1,200 deaths on their side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack in October. Additionally, 77 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Israel's ground offensive.

The United States' commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza reflects its stance of supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas, while also recognizing the needs of Palestinian civilians caught in the conflict. With the arrival of the first of three flights and the ongoing truck deliveries, the hope is that this assistance will alleviate the suffering of the population and contribute to a more stable and secure future for Gaza.