Qatar launches air bridge from Jordan to Gaza to deliver medical aid

AMMAN — Qatar has launched an air bridge from Jordan to the Gaza Strip to deliver urgent medical aid, supplementing its existing land bridge.

The initiative aims to address severe shortages in Gaza’s healthcare sector by providing essential medicines and medical supplies, according to a statement by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO).

The air bridge was inaugurated in the presence of Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation Mariam Bint Ali Al Misnad, Qatari Ambassador to Jordan Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, JHCO Secretary-General Hussein Shibli, Qatar Charity CEO Yousef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, and representatives from the Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Red Crescent.

The initiative comes amid a worsening health crisis in Gaza, where hospitals and medical centres are struggling due to a 49.6 per cent shortage of essential medicines and a 33 per cent deficit in necessary medical supplies.

Shibli highlighted that the ongoing crisis has placed significant strain on medical teams operating under challenging conditions.

He also stressed the importance of continued cooperation between Jordan and Qatar to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian aid. He said that JHCO remains committed to facilitating the passage of aid and ensuring its organised distribution, particularly given the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

He also emphasised that JHCO will continue to provide logistical support and collaborate with humanitarian organisations to sustain the flow of aid, alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s residents, and improve their living and health conditions.

Misnad attended the signing of an agreement between Qatar Charity and JHCO to facilitate the transport of Qatari humanitarian aid through Jordan.

Misnad said that since the start of the truce, Qatar has delivered 65 trucks of aid through Jordan.

"In addition to the ongoing land bridge, two helicopter flights carrying critical medical supplies have been dispatched to northern Khan Younis."

She noted that Qatar had provided 20,000 tents, which were transported by land from Qatar to Jordan, with plans to facilitate their entry into northern Gaza in coordination with JHCO.

Al Kuwari emphasised that the organisation, in partnership with the Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Red Crescent, has been tasked with overseeing the aid efforts.

He noted that medical supplies are being delivered via the Jordanian air bridge, while land convoys are being dispatched through the Jordanian corridor.

"To enhance logistics, a 4,000-square-metre warehouse, including 1,000 square metres of refrigerated storage, has been secured in partnership with the Jordan Armed Forces- Arab Army (JAF) Military Consumer Corporation."