JAF flies eight helicopters with aid to Gaza

- Helicopters land in Al Qarara near Gaza’s Khan Yunis
- Army says helicopters carried over 7 tonnes of aid 

AMMAN — The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) said on Wednesday it sent eight helicopters loaded with more than seven tonnes of aid to Gaza, as part of the "humanitarian bridge" to the war-torn Palestinian territory.

The army said in a statement that the aid was sent upon directives of Majesty King Abdullah to deliver vital relief, medical supplies, and essential aid to the besieged population.

The operation follows King Abdullah’s recent appeals at the United Nations and the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, where he urged global support for Gaza and called for collaborative humanitarian action, JAF said.

Eight military helicopters departed from Jordan carrying over seven tonnes of aid, including food, medicines, healthcare supplies, and specialised items for children, according to the statement.  

The shipments were handed over to the United Nations World Food Programme from Al Qarara [an area near Gaza’s southern city of Khan Yunis] for distribution in Gaza.

JAF said Jordan will continue to deliver support to Gaza through various means, adding that the Kingdom has so far sent 56,573 tonnes of food, medical supplies, and relief items to the besieged Strip. 

Since October 7, 2023, the Kingdom has sent 4,082 trucks loaded with aid and 53 planes via Egypt's El Arish Airport, it said.

Jordan has also conducted 123 airdrops and participated in 266 joint air missions with other countries, the statement added.