‘We are not dogs’: Palestinians condemn Gaza airdrops of aid

Palestinians in Gaza have condemned the humanitarian aid being parachuted from planes as humiliating. Angry residents say the international community’s approach to aid is degrading them. “We are not dogs that look up to the sky for food or fight for a piece of bread. We want the right to live with dignity like humans,” said local resident Ahmed Fayez Fayyad. Another Palestinian mother, who has been unable to collect food for her family for three days, said, “My child cries with hunger, and I have to endure this humiliation? We want our fair rights, not aid.”

Why the condemnation?

Most of the aid dropped from planes ends up in the sea or in war-torn areas, which are dangerous to collect. In addition, many times the aid packages fall to the ground and are destroyed. Many Palestinians see this method as ‘demonstrative’ instead of distributing aid by land. Meanwhile, human rights groups have warned that such aid methods are causing psychological trauma to Gaza residents. A UN official said on condition of anonymity, ‘This is not a solution. The only way to get adequate aid to the doorsteps of every family in Gaza is to lift the blockade.’ In this situation, strong demands are being made from the Palestinian leadership and the international community. A teacher in Gaza said, ‘We are not beggars. We are only asking for our rights – to live in safety and dignity. The question for the international community now is: will they just throw food, or will they also support the Palestinians’ right to dignity?’