In a significant development, aid has begun to flow into Gaza through a temporary pier constructed by the U.S. military, marking the first sea-based delivery to the region in two months. This endeavor is seen as a supplementary measure to the vital land deliveries, which humanitarian groups stress are essential to address the urgent needs of Gaza’s 2.2 million inhabitants.
The U.S. military successfully installed the floating pier and causeway along Gaza’s coastline on Thursday, a crucial milestone in the maritime aid corridor announced earlier in March. However, both U.S. and international officials have underscored that sea shipments alone cannot adequately address the extensive humanitarian challenges facing Gaza.
While no U.S. troops physically entered Gaza, the military provided crucial logistical support for the aid supplies, generously donated by various countries and organizations. Among the provisions were food bars for 11,000 individuals, therapeutic food for 7,200 malnourished children, and hygiene kits for 30,000 people. Additionally, the British government contributed 8,400 temporary shelters made of plastic sheeting.
Gaza’s plight has deepened in the wake of seven months of Israeli bombardment, stringent inspections, and restrictions on crossings, severely hampering aid inflows. Recent military actions by Israel around Rafah have further impeded the flow of aid through land crossings.
Efforts to urge Israel to facilitate aid entry have been led by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other U.S. officials. In discussions with Israeli Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the critical need to augment humanitarian assistance through both land and sea routes.
Pentagon officials are aiming to deliver approximately 90 trucks of aid daily, with the potential to scale up to 150 trucks. Prior to the conflict that erupted last October, Gaza received around 500 trucks of commercial goods and aid each day.
Despite these concerted efforts, the initial aid deliveries only scratch the surface of the immense need in Gaza. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged the limitations of the maritime route, affirming that additional aid would be forthcoming.
Logistical operations for aid arriving through the pier will be managed by the U.N. World Food Program, overseeing truck coordination, supply loading, and distribution to warehouses for further dissemination by humanitarian partners.
Collaborating with the U.S., Israel’s military has prioritized supporting this initiative, recognizing the urgency of addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper of the Central Command reiterated that land crossings remain the most efficient means of delivering the requisite volume of aid.
With one of Gaza’s primary aid crossings at Rafah shuttered due to Israeli military operations, and the Kerem Shalom crossing briefly closed following a Hamas rocket attack, the need for alternative delivery methods has become increasingly evident.
Earlier attempts by the aid group World Central Kitchen to deliver aid by sea were tragically cut short in April after an Israeli strike claimed the lives of seven workers. The establishment of the new pier aims to reignite and expand crucial efforts to alleviate Gaza’s humanitarian plight.