Israel unveils new corridor, aid zone ahead of Gaza City invasion

Israel unveils new humanitarian corridors in Gaza as over 1,700 aid packages are airdropped without Israeli inspection, prompting scrutiny ahead of the planned Gaza city invasion.

The Defense Ministry, the IDF Southern Command, and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) presented new humanitarian corridors on Sunday for the movement of civilians and the delivery of aid, including water, food, and tents.

The government has approved the establishment of a new humanitarian zone in southern Gaza for families relocating from Gaza City. Water infrastructure is currently being installed, and coordination with international medical organizations is expanding to support the zone’s operations.

In parallel, international pressure and what officials describe as Hamas’s campaign of civilian suffering have led Israel to approve airdrops of humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip. More than 1,762 aid packages, totaling 475 tons, have been airdropped so far.

Countries participating in the aid effort include the United Arab Emirates with 263 packages, Jordan with 366, Egypt with 191, Germany with 443, Belgium with 175, Italy with 98, France with 87, the Netherlands with 32, Spain with 31, Canada with 24, Greece with 12, and Singapore with eight. International aid organizations contributed an additional 28 packages.

While the airdrops are increasing, defense officials emphasized that they represent only a small fraction of the humanitarian aid currently entering the Gaza Strip via land crossings in the north and south.

Aid drops don't pass prior IDF inspection

Israeli security officials confirmed that Israel does not inspect the contents of aid packages airdropped by foreign countries. That responsibility falls to Jordan and Egypt, including Egypt’s security apparatus.

International actors have criticized the airdrop effort as inadequate in volume. In response, Israeli military officials reiterated their call for the United Nations to take full responsibility for transporting aid trucks arriving at the Kerem Shalom border crossing and to ensure their swift entry into the Strip.

Officials are also urging additional humanitarian groups to increase their activity and facilitate round-the-clock delivery of assistance through land routes, which remain the primary channel for getting vital supplies to civilians inside Gaza.