US-built pier for Gaza completed, aid to flow soon
The US military finished installing a pier constructed to aid the Gaza Strip on May 16th, with officials poised to begin ferrying much needed humanitarian assistance into the enclave, Asharq Al-Awsat and agencies reported.
The pier’s completion comes as President Joe Biden’s administration announced their plans to move forward with $1 billion in military aid to Israel despite May 7th’s pausing of a weapons delivery.
The maritime route is designed to bolster the amount of aid getting into Gaza, though the route is not considered a substitute for far cheaper land-based deliveries that aid agencies have said are more sustainable.
The boatloads of aid will be deposited at a port facility built by Israel southwest of Gaza City before being distributed by aid groups. American officials have insisted that US troops will not set foot in Gaza, acknowledging the danger of operating near the war zone.
READ: Biden and Netanyahu expected to discuss aid worker killings
Navy Vice Admiral and a deputy commander of the US military’s Central Command Brad Cooper insisted that the “protection of US forces participating is a top priority.”
“In the last several weeks, the United States and Israel have developed an integrated security plan to protect all the personnel who are working,” he added. “We are confident in the ability of this security arrangement to protect those involved.”
Pentagon officials said the fighting in Gaza wasn’t threatening the pier’s distribution area, though they have made it clear that security conditions will be monitored closely. Any disturbances could prompt a shutdown of the maritime route temporarily. The site has already been targeted by mortar fire during its construction and Hamas has threatened to target any foreign forces who “occupy” the Gaza Strip.
“Trucks carrying humanitarian assistance are expected to begin moving ashore in the coming days,” a statement from the military’s Central Command read. “The United Nations will receive the aid and coordinate its distribution into Gaza.”
Asharq Al-Awsat
