The first aid ship is on its way to an American-built floating pier in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the region. The boat left from Cyprus on Thursday, May 9. As it the ship sails toward Gaza, questions remain about the logistics of aid distribution and whether the pier is finished.
President Joe Biden announced the construction of the pier two months ago. However, the United States military has not finished installing it. A Pentagon spokesperson revealed that crews have not transported certain parts of the pier to Gaza yet. The ships carrying those parts are waiting for better sea conditions.
Once the pier is operational, the vessel carrying humanitarian aid will transfer pallets of supplies to an offshore floating platform. Crews will then load the pallets onto trucks on new, smaller boats that will take the cargo to the beach. Israel Defense Forces will unload the trucks there. U.S. defense officials maintained that no U.S. forces will set food on the ground.
The operation of the pier has become even more important after the closure of Gaza’s two main land crossings, stopping humanitarian aid deliveries. In addition, concerns are mounting over the long-threatened invasion of Rafah, a crucial distribution hub for 1.3 million Palestinians sheltering in the region. Israel recently took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Israeli forces have not said when they will reopen it.
As entrance into Rafah becomes more difficult, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees warns that supplies are running out. The agency said it will have to start rationing supplies within days, which could risk its operations.
2.3 million people face food shortages amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and a famine setting in northern Gaza. The need for aid in the region is urgent.
