For the first time on Friday, trucks carrying desperately needed aid for the Gaza Strip traversed a newly constructed U.S. floating pier into the besieged enclave. Israeli restrictions on border crossings and intense fighting have severely hindered the delivery of essential supplies such as food and water to the people in Gaza.
This shipment marks the beginning of an operation that U.S. military officials hope will eventually scale up to 150 truckloads per day entering the Gaza Strip. The escalation comes as Israel intensifies its offensive on the southern city of Rafah, part of its ongoing seven-month campaign against Hamas.
Despite the commencement of the pier project, both U.S. and aid organizations caution that this initiative cannot fully substitute for land deliveries, which previously brought in over 500 truckloads daily. The successful implementation of this operation remains precarious, given the potential for militant attacks, logistical challenges, and a severe shortage of fuel for the trucks. This shortage has been exacerbated by the Israeli blockade following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages. In response, Israel’s offensive has claimed more than 35,000 Palestinian lives in the Gaza Strip, with additional casualties reported in the West Bank, according to local health officials.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed the aid movement in a statement on Friday, noting that the first shipment crossed into Gaza at 9 a.m. without any American troops setting foot onshore. “This is an ongoing, multinational effort to deliver additional aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza via a maritime corridor that is entirely humanitarian in nature, involving aid commodities donated by various countries and humanitarian organizations,” the command stated.
The floating pier installation was completed on Thursday. Shortly after, the Pentagon announced the imminent commencement of humanitarian aid flow, emphasizing that no distribution backups were anticipated, with coordination being handled by the United Nations. However, the U.N. reported that fuel deliveries via land routes have nearly ceased, complicating the distribution of aid to Gaza’s residents.
“We desperately need fuel,” remarked U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq. “It doesn’t matter how the aid comes, whether by sea or by land; without fuel, it won’t reach the people.”
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh acknowledged that fuel delivery issues are a recurring topic in U.S. discussions with Israeli counterparts. She noted the intention to gradually increase truck deliveries via the sea route while resolving initial logistical challenges.
Aid agencies report critical shortages of food in southern Gaza and dwindling fuel supplies. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Food Program have both indicated that famine has gripped northern Gaza.
Israel claims it imposes no restrictions on humanitarian aid entry and attributes delays to the U.N.’s distribution efforts. The U.N. counters that ongoing fighting, Israeli attacks, and chaotic security conditions have hindered the delivery of aid. Israel also expresses concern that Hamas may divert the fuel for its military efforts against Israeli forces.
In recent weeks, under U.S. pressure, Israel has opened several crossings to facilitate aid delivery to northern Gaza. However, Hamas attacks on the primary crossing at Kerem Shalom and violent protests by Israelis have disrupted the aid flow. Israel’s recent capture of the Rafah border crossing has raised concerns for civilian safety and restricted the primary aid entry point into Gaza.
President Joe Biden authorized the $320 million pier project, which involves offloading aid at an Israeli-built port facility southwest of Gaza City. Aid organizations are then responsible for distribution within Gaza. The initial shipment consisted of approximately 500 tons of aid. U.S. officials have closely coordinated with Israel to ensure the safety of the ships and personnel involved in the operation.
Despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding the safe operation of aid groups in Gaza. Sonali Korde, assistant to the administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, highlighted the ongoing security challenges. “There is a very insecure operating environment,” she said, noting that aid groups are still struggling to obtain clearances for their movements within Gaza.
The apprehension follows an Israeli strike last month that killed seven relief workers from World Central Kitchen, despite coordination with Israeli officials, as well as other aid worker casualties during the conflict. Pentagon officials have emphasized that security conditions will be closely monitored, and the maritime route could be temporarily shut down if necessary. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander at U.S. Central Command, expressed confidence in the security arrangements protecting those involved.
The construction site for the pier has already been targeted by mortar fire, and Hamas has threatened to attack any foreign forces perceived as “occupying” Gaza. President Biden has assured that no U.S. troops will be stationed on the ground in Gaza. Instead, third-country contractors will handle the truck operations onshore. The United Nations will receive and coordinate the aid distribution.
Israeli forces will manage shore security, with two nearby U.S. Navy warships available to protect U.S. personnel and others. The aid collected and inspected in Cyprus is transported approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the floating pier off Gaza’s coast. The pallets are then transferred onto trucks, which drive onto Army boats to shore. Once the aid is delivered, the trucks immediately return to the boats.
The World Food Program will oversee the aid distribution for the United Nations. Despite the complex logistics and security challenges, the U.S. and its allies remain committed to providing humanitarian relief to Gaza’s civilians amidst the ongoing conflict.
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