The temporary pier, an American initiative costing $230 million located just off the Gaza shore, could be deconstructed within a short period of time, due to failed operations. It was intended to provide essential food and medical aid to the 2.3 million Palestinian population impacted by crisis. The warning was issued by United States officials regarding the possibility of an early closure before its intended closing time in September. Inclement weather later in the year was believed to affect its operability.
The pier, a project commissioned by the American President, Joe Biden, in the month of March has only been operational for a small number of days since its inauguration mid-May. The rough sea conditions have caused significant damage, resulting in the pier’s suspension of operations twice and needed repairs at the Israeli Ashdod port.
Despite the critical need for aid, independent humanitarian organizations show apprehension in using the facility due to the US-Israel collaboration on this project. The World Food Programme, responsible for overseeing relief efforts, had stopped its operations since June 4th. This followed an Israeli operation where four hostages, who were rescued from Hamas, were brought to the pier’s onshore location. On this rescue mission, an attack on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp was reported to have claimed the lives of over 270 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
US officials have defended the pier’s function as a temporary solution while further negotiation is pushed on Israel by the Biden administration to permit more supplies into Gaza via land transport. This was followed by a move last week where twin bills were forwarded in the US House of Representatives towards ending the funding for this pier project.
UNRWA, the refugee agency for Palestinians, has warned about the severe lack of medical supplies, which leaves 50,000 children, suffering from severe malnutrition, untreated. Scott Anderson, operations director of UNRWA reports that the situation in Gaza is not conducive for efficient aid delivery.
Currently, the most practical way of delivering aid to Gaza remains via land routes, however, only five formal Israeli entry points into Gaza are operational. Despite ongoing conflicts and theft by desperate Palestinians, convoys continue to proceed. Instances of looting shot up after Israeli forces targeted Gazan police escorting lorries which were then left unprotected.
The Israeli military opened an aid route on the Salaheddin road from the Kerem Shalom crossing to Khan Younis in Gaza. This route functions daily from morning till evening.
Israel reported on Tuesday that 62 commercial lorries utilised the passageway, but Georgios Petropoulos, who manages UN humanitarian operations in Gaza, informed CNN that the UN had been utilising this route for transporting supplies for several days. Despite this, James Elder, a UNICEF representative, expressed that the initiative taken by the Israeli military couldn’t substitute for a proper ceasefire.