Additional Coverage:
- US military delivers supplies to Gaza via pier, but there’s no one to distribute them (newsbreak.com)
U.S. authorities are standing behind President Joe Biden’s strategy to construct a temporary $230 million pier near Gaza for humanitarian aid delivery. Despite difficult conditions and repeated closures due to rough seas over the last month, officials view it as a crucial albeit limited response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. Challenges have hampered the delivery and distribution of aid onshore, where safety issues have made it nearly impossible for aid workers to operate effectively.
The military, which recently opened the pier for media tours, reported that it has facilitated the transport of approximately 13.6 million pounds of food to a United Nations-managed warehouse onshore. This volume of aid is a fraction of the daily needs of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants and represents less capacity than what ground transportation through Israel and Egypt could provide. Major General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, emphasized the temporary nature of the pier and the ongoing search for more secure methods to deliver humanitarian assistance.
The decision to build the pier emerged from frustrations over Israel’s limited allowance of aid trucks into Gaza, citing security issues. The pier was envisioned to significantly enhance the flow of essentials to the region, a goal yet to be fully realized due to operational challenges and adverse weather conditions. Since its establishment in mid-May, the pier has been operational only about half of the time, necessitating repairs and relocations due to damage from the sea.
Colonel Samuel Miller of the Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade expressed hope for improved conditions and ongoing efforts to overcome the obstacles faced. Despite prior warnings about possible complications and the uncertain effectiveness of the pier, President Biden announced the initiative as part of his commitment to address the crisis, deploying 1,000 U.S. troops to manage the maritime logistics.
However, delivering aid is only part of the challenge, as establishing a system for its distribution remains problematic. The UN’s World Food Programme had agreed to handle the distribution, but operations were temporarily halted for a security assessment, highlighting the increasing risks and operational difficulties in the region. Concerns over the safety of aid workers and the need for secure delivery routes have been emphasized by humanitarian organizations, stressing the importance of security guarantees for effective aid distribution in Gaza.
Military officials, including Col. Miller, expressed determination to continue their mission as long as necessary, underscoring the commitment to assist despite the complex situation. The U.S. is working with humanitarian partners to explore all possible options to ensure aid delivery continues amidst the challenging conditions in Gaza.