Jordan’s army says it has sent eight helicopters loaded with more than 7 tonnes of aid to Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

The helicopters carrying food, medicine and supplies for children took off from Jordan, the army said in a statement. It is the first time Jordanian aircraft have landed in Gaza with aid since Israel launched their offensive in October last year.

The army said the aid was being delivered to al-Qarara, an area near Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis, where it would be handed over to the UN World Food Programme.

“The total amount of aid sent from the kingdom to the Gaza Strip is about 56,573 tonnes,” it added, noting the aid had been delivered through Egypt by plane, truck and dozens of airdrops.