GAZA CITY – International planes continued airdropping humanitarian aid into Gaza on Sunday, even as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza City aimed at dismantling Hamas strongholds.

For more than two weeks, countries have coordinated with Israel to deliver food, medicine, and supplies from the air. However, United Nations agencies and aid groups admit the method has major shortcomings: drops often land in the sea, in restricted zones controlled by Hamas, or even in crowded tent areas, sometimes causing injuries.

Israeli officials stress that while humanitarian aid is important, their top priority remains neutralizing Hamas militants who use civilians as human shields. Jerusalem has repeatedly accused Hamas of stealing or diverting aid meant for civilians — a claim echoed by several international observers.

By allowing aid to continue flowing, Israel says it is working to balance military necessity with humanitarian responsibility, ensuring that ordinary Palestinians are not left without assistance even as military operations intensify.

With Israel’s military preparing for what could be the most significant stage of its campaign in Gaza City, officials say their objective is clear: to bring security to Israelis while making sure humanitarian aid reaches civilians, not terrorists.