Jordanian aid air drop over Gaza - in pictures

  • Major Mohammed Bashabseh watches to ensure all the parachutes have deployed to carry the aid safely to the ground. A previous aid drop had killed 5 Palestinians when some parachutes did not open. All photos: Matthew Kynaston/ The National
    Major Mohammed Bashabseh watches to ensure all the parachutes have deployed to carry the aid safely to the ground. A previous aid drop had killed 5 Palestinians when some parachutes did not open. All photos: Matthew Kynaston/ The National
  • Major Mohammed Bashabseh of the Royal Special Forces, Air operations unit, attempts to track the flight path using a GPS app, but is unable to do so as Israel has scrambled GPS over Gaza.
    Major Mohammed Bashabseh of the Royal Special Forces, Air operations unit, attempts to track the flight path using a GPS app, but is unable to do so as Israel has scrambled GPS over Gaza.
  • An American-made Lockheed C-130 Hercules loaded with 8 tonnes of aid to be dropped over Gaza on the King Abdullah II Air Base in Zarqa, near Amman, Jordan.
    An American-made Lockheed C-130 Hercules loaded with 8 tonnes of aid to be dropped over Gaza on the King Abdullah II Air Base in Zarqa, near Amman, Jordan.
  • A Jordanian Air Force serviceman looks out over Gaza moments before 8 tonnes of aid is dropped over the beseiged strip.
    A Jordanian Air Force serviceman looks out over Gaza moments before 8 tonnes of aid is dropped over the beseiged strip.
  • The 8 tonnes of food contain approximately 10,000 meals. Approximately 1.1 million Gazan's are now facing starvation, according to the UN. The aid drops are not expected to be able to avert the imminent famine.
    The 8 tonnes of food contain approximately 10,000 meals. Approximately 1.1 million Gazan's are now facing starvation, according to the UN. The aid drops are not expected to be able to avert the imminent famine.
  • Loadmaster Sameer observes as the eight crates of food and essential items are loaded into the C-130 to be dropped over Gaza.
    Loadmaster Sameer observes as the eight crates of food and essential items are loaded into the C-130 to be dropped over Gaza.
  • The Jordanian Air Force planned two aid drops over Gaza. The aid drops deliver about the same load as one truck, but cost about seven times as much.
    The Jordanian Air Force planned two aid drops over Gaza. The aid drops deliver about the same load as one truck, but cost about seven times as much.
  • A Jordanian Air Force loadmaster sits in the empty cargo hold as the flight makes its way back to the airbase in Jordan.
    A Jordanian Air Force loadmaster sits in the empty cargo hold as the flight makes its way back to the airbase in Jordan.
  • Two Jordanian Air Force loadmasters prepare an aid drop over Gaza on 20 March, 2024.
    Two Jordanian Air Force loadmasters prepare an aid drop over Gaza on 20 March, 2024.
  • The aid drop happens about 1000m above sea level, clear enough to see the destruction of northern Gaza and the empty streets in between apartment blocks.
    The aid drop happens about 1000m above sea level, clear enough to see the destruction of northern Gaza and the empty streets in between apartment blocks.