Monday, 25 May 2026
Canada air drops humanitarian aid into Gaza
Canada has stepped up its response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the Canadian Armed Forces recently conducting a major airdrop of vital supplies.
On August 4, 2025, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Defence Minister David McGuinty announced that a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules aircraft dropped more than 21,000 pounds of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, as part of efforts to help Palestinians facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
The move comes as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate and land access for aid agencies remains heavily restricted. Canada coordinated the operation with international partners, including the government of Jordan, which facilitated the delivery route. Aid organizations working on the ground face ongoing obstacles imposed by Israeli authorities, limiting the flow of essentials and further compounding the emergency.
In addition to the air drops, Canada has committed significant new funding—$30 million announced in late July—to address urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank. An extra $10 million has also been pledged to the World Bank to support the Palestinian Authority’s stabilization efforts. Since October 2023, Canada’s total commitment to Palestinian humanitarian and resilience programs has surpassed $355 million, directed through channels such as the United Nations, World Bank, Red Cross, and other NGOs.
Canadian officials have called for immediate action to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian convoys and for the opening of all crossings into Gaza. They continue to urge respect for international humanitarian law and the end of obstructions that prevent life-saving assistance from reaching those who need it most. Canada also reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution, emphasizing that lasting peace requires both security for Israel and justice for Palestinians.