Jordan seeks US help for Gaza aid drops but Trump administration declines

In early August 2025, Jordan plans to initiate a three-week airdrop operation to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. This decision comes amid increasing international pressure to provide more food aid to the region. Currently, Jordan is requesting support from various nations, including aircraft, supplies, and logistics, yet the Trump administration has communicated that it has no intention of aiding this initiative. Previous efforts from other nations such as Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the UK are being monitored by the U.S. State Department as they consider contributing to the operation. Jordan's collaboration with the United Arab Emirates included recent airdrops, yet concerns have emerged regarding the efficacy and safety of such methods. Aid organizations have criticized airdrops as costly and inefficient. Furthermore, reports indicate delays in ground aid deliveries, with only a fraction of trucks allowed to move into Gaza from Jordan due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli government. From the ground perspective, Jordan is strategizing to dispatch two additional convoys this week, despite the difficulties they faced when on Sunday past a mere 25 out of 60 trucks were permitted entry. In this context, humanitarian efforts are caught in a complex political landscape, with various interested parties voicing their opinions and intentions. The Trump administration previously emphasized alternative solutions, aiming to address the humanitarian crisis without providing direct aid to groups like Hamas. The discourse around the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation indicates a contentious atmosphere, as criticisms from numerous charity organizations have emerged, suggesting that the foundation has failed to protect vulnerable populations in Gaza effectively. The upcoming direct actions from Jordan may further shape the dialogue around humanitarian aid in Gaza amid complex geopolitical dynamics.