US President Joe Biden had been planning aid air drops for some time but Thursday’s incident of Israel opening fire “certainly underscored for the president” the need to find other ways to get aid in, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, AFP reports.

The United States planned to carry out multiple air drops that would last weeks, said Kirby, adding that it would not be “one and done.” But it was also a “tough military operation” that required careful planning by the Pentagon for the safety of both Gazan civilians and US military personnel.

“It is extremely difficult to do an airdrop in such a crowded environment as is Gaza,” said Kirby.

The United States also had to manage the risks to its own personnel. “This is a war zone. So there’s an added element of potential danger to the pilots in the aircraft,” he added.

Kirby said Israel was meanwhile “seriously” investigating the aid convoy deaths. However, Washington would continue to support Israel militarily despite the growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Kirby said. “We are still helping Israel with their needs to defend themselves,” he said.