In the Gaza Strip, a U.S.-built temporary pier has been established to facilitate the entry of aid and supplies for Palestinians. However, in its first five days of operation, none of the 569 metric tons of aid that has arrived at the pier has been distributed to those in need by humanitarian organizations. This delay has been attributed to security concerns and logistical challenges. It is expected that the aid will be distributed in the coming days, once conditions allow for it.
The temporary pier was constructed as an alternative entry point for aid shipments after Israel’s incursion into Rafah, which resulted in the closure of the main border crossings used for delivering aid by truck. Since the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing, only a limited number of trucks have been able to enter Gaza, significantly reducing the amount of aid reaching the region. Before the closure of the border crossings, up to 340 trucks were entering Gaza daily, compared to the 69 trucks that have entered in the past two weeks.
The pier system, which cost $300 million, was connected to the Mediterranean shore in central Gaza and became operational last week. Despite the initial challenges in distributing aid through the pier, efforts are being made to increase the number of trucks bringing in supplies on a daily basis. The U.S. military is taking a step-by-step approach to address logistical issues and ensure the security of aid distribution. It is expected that as these challenges are overcome, the amount of aid reaching those in need will increase.
General Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, acknowledged the delays in aid distribution and emphasized the importance of working together with Israel and the United Nations to ensure the safe movement of staff and cargo. Alternative routes have been established to transport aid to warehouses for further distribution. The incident of looting that occurred when aid trucks arrived at the pier has led to heightened security measures and caution in delivering aid to prevent further disruptions.
While the temporary pier has provided a critical entry point for aid into Gaza, there are still challenges to overcome in ensuring the effective distribution of supplies to Palestinians in need. The U.S. military is committed to working with partners to address logistical hurdles and improve the efficiency of aid delivery. As conditions permit, it is hoped that the aid will be distributed in the coming days to provide much-needed relief to the people of Gaza who have been affected by the recent conflict and humanitarian crisis.
