The construction of a floating pier off Gaza’s coast by the US Navy is finished, and humanitarian aid shipments will begin “in the next few days,” announced US Central Command.
“Trucks carrying humanitarian aid are set to start offloading in the coming days. The United Nations will receive and coordinate the distribution of the aid in Gaza,” Centcom stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
It was emphasized in the announcement that no US troops were involved in Gaza for the pier’s construction or installation, which cost USD 320 million.
The pier is designed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Ships from Cyprus will transport trucks carrying food, water, medicine, fuel, and other supplies to the pier. These trucks will then travel via a causeway connecting the pier to the mainland. The aid will be unloaded at a facility near Gaza City, which Israel is constructing.
The Israeli military is providing security and logistical support for this operation. Initially, around 90 trucks are planned to pass through daily, with expectations of reaching 150 as the pier becomes fully operational.
The specific UN agency responsible for coordinating the aid’s reception and distribution was not mentioned by Centcom. Israel is opting to bypass the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in aid distribution and is advocating for the agency to be stripped of authority and defunded.
Reports about Israeli intelligence linking 12 UNRWA staffers to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad activities, including using UNRWA vehicles and facilities during hostilities, have emerged. These reports have fueled controversies surrounding aid deliveries in Israel.
During demonstrations in Israel against humanitarian aid deliveries, chants of “Don’t feed Hamas” have been common, reflecting concerns about aid inadvertently supporting militant groups.
Additionally, families of hostages have urged the government to use aid delivery leverage for information and access to their loved ones held captive.
Hamas’s attacks near Gaza’s border in October resulted in significant casualties and hostage situations, with ongoing concerns about the well-being of remaining hostages.