US carries out first airdrop of aid into Gaza, officials say

The United States and Jordan's air force have conducted three airdrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza, delivering approximately 38,000 meals. Israel has been blocking most aid trucks from entering Gaza through land, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the enclave after nearly five months of war. The drops were made in southwest Gaza along the Mediterranean coast and are expected to continue. US President Joe Biden expressed concern over the insufficient aid flow to Gaza and urged for more efforts. A framework agreement for a six-week ceasefire is being negotiated, with Israel reportedly close to accepting it. The UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, also criticized the limited number of aid trucks entering Gaza and called it unacceptable. The US has become at least the fifth country to drop aid into Gaza since the start of the war in October.