Palestinian authorities say deaths resulted from attempts to recover crates that fell in water after parachutes went wrong

Twelve people drowned trying to get to aid dropped by plane off a Gaza beach, Palestinian health authorities have said, amid growing fears of famine nearly six months into Israel’s military campaign.

Video of the airdrop on Monday showed crowds of people running towards the beach, in Beit Lahiya in north Gaza, as crates with parachutes floated down, then people standing deep in water and bodies being pulled on to the sand.

In Washington, the Pentagon said three of the 18 bundles of airdropped aid into Gaza on Monday had parachute malfunctions and fell into the water, but could not confirm if anyone was killed trying to reach the aid.

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  • Venia Silente@lemm.eeEnglish
    4·
    3 months ago

    Why don’t they just land the planes on the ground and deliver the aid there, instead of just haphazardly tossing it to the air hoping it 1.- lands somewhere 2.- without killing someone via impact or 3.- landing in a completely different realm and medium?

      • bamboo@lemm.eeEnglish
        101·
        3 months ago

        No, there was a functioning airport but Israel destroyed it in 2001

      • Venia Silente@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        I had to go google what a “feet” is, since IIRC it’s a body part (well, plural of) but even with that, what kind of tremendously inefficient aircraft does the mighty US have that can’t brake in 1600 m? If that’s that much of a concern , just land a helicopter, those can do VTOL.

        • SkyezOpen@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          3 months ago

          what kind of tremendously inefficient aircraft does the mighty US have that can’t brake in 1600 m?

          The goddamn C-130 with a load capacity of 3000 stone. I assume you think pounds are currency so I saved you the confusion.

          • Venia Silente@lemm.eeEnglish
            1·
            3 months ago

            Oh no I get the plane and stuff.

            I just expected by this fair point in the good year of 21st century the US would have, dunno, retro rockets on their aircraft or something. Since they spend so much on military.

            • andrew@lemmy.stuart.funEnglish
              2·
              3 months ago

              They can do JATO for both takeoff and landing but it’s tremendously risky and hard on the airfare so it’s reserved for extreme emergencies where there are no other options, IIRC.