Britain to airdrop supplies into Gaza alongside Jordan

Aid groups describe plan as a ‘distraction and smokescreen’

- JABED AHMED

The UK is working with Jordan on plans to airdrop aid into Gaza and evacuate children needing medical assistance, Sir Keir Starmer has announced. But the UN has warned that the focus on airdrops is a “distraction” and could lead to more deaths in the wartorn strip.

The prime minister held emergency talks with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday amid mounting global anger at the starving population in the besieged territory.

In a readout of the call, a spokesperson for Sir Keir said the leaders had agreed “it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently needed ceasefire into lasting peace”.

The three leaders agreed the situation in Gaza is “appalling”, the readout said, adding there is an “urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, for Israel to lift all restrictions on aid and urgently provide those suffering in Gaza with the food they so desperately need”.

“The prime minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance,” the statement added.