The United Arab Emirates has carried out its 54th airdrop of humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip as part of its ongoing “Birds of Goodness” initiative, in partnership with Jordan, officials confirmed Sunday.

The mission was conducted under the wider “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3” campaign and targeted hard-to-reach areas of the embattled enclave, where overland access has been severely restricted due to ongoing hostilities.

According to UAE authorities, the latest airdrop delivered vital food and emergency supplies to civilians cut off from ground relief. This brings the total aid delivered through the operation to approximately 3,725 tonnes across 193 air sorties since the programme began.

“The UAE remains committed to providing immediate assistance to the Palestinian people, especially those displaced and affected by catastrophic conditions in Gaza,” said an official statement.

The airdrops include essential foodstuffs and critical non-food items aimed at alleviating the worsening humanitarian crisis.

With access routes disrupted by conflict, the air corridor has emerged as a vital lifeline for affected populations in northern and central Gaza.

The UAE also reaffirmed that it has provided more than 44 per cent of all international relief aid reaching Gaza in recent months, underlining the Gulf state’s role as one of the principal humanitarian contributors in the region.

Officials said they would continue to coordinate with Jordan and other regional and international partners to ensure delivery of assistance via air, land, and sea routes.

Humanitarian agencies estimate that over 80 per cent of Gaza’s population needs urgent aid, with shortages of water, food, medical supplies, and fuel continuing to escalate.

The “Birds of Goodness” campaign, first launched in late 2023, has become one of the longest-running airlift relief efforts in recent conflicts.