Jordanian helicopters have begun deliveries of aid to Gaza – the first since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was declared.
The BBC was allowed to join the mission, which landed in Israeli-held territory in southern Gaza between the Israeli border and the town of Wadi al-Salqa.
The helicopters land on a small strip surrounded by razor wire.
It can only accommodate two landings of the Blackhawk helicopters at a time.
The Jordanians do not leave the airstrip.
Among the supplies was aid from Britain.
The scene from the air reveals itself out of the midday haze – grey ruins and a lifeless landscape.
As we land, the Jordanian air force men jump out first and make sure there is someone from the World Food Programme to receive the aid.
A solitary figure in a high-visibility jacket approaches.
Next to a barbed wire fence two trucks are waiting to bring the aid into nearby Khan Younis.
There are no formalities. The aid is quickly unloaded. All the time the helicopter rotors keep turning.
There is a sense of real urgency – there are 14 more helicopters waiting to follow us to the landing zone.
Although this is just the edge of the conflict zone, the area next to the landing strip resembles a wasteland after 15 months of war.
I saw what appeared to be Israeli digging machines working in the area.
The Jordanians deployed 16 helicopters for Tuesday’s operation.
They are delivering medical supplies and baby formula which could spoil if transported on a long road journey.
The Jordanian government’s official spokesman, Dr Mohammad al-Momani, told me the scenes of human suffering in Gaza were “horrific… and inhumane”.
He said Jordan was joining with the international community to try and alleviate suffering.
This article was originally published at www.bbc.com
