Dangers for Palestinian aid workers stall deal on US-built Gaza pier
Israel’s role in providing security for the maritime endeavor has raised questions over the safety and neutrality of the Palestinian aid workers involved.
WASHINGTON — The US military has nearly finished building a pier off Gaza’s coast to surge humanitarian assistance by sea, but the United Nations is still seeking assurances on the protection of Palestinians tasked with distributing that aid.
The American-led effort to deliver seaborne assistance to Gaza comes after Israel’s seven-month bombing campaign and restrictions on aid convoys have brought parts of the coastal enclave to the brink of famine. Once fully operational, the maritime corridor will facilitate the delivery of 150 truckloads of assistance per day, according to US officials.
The Israeli military will provide security for the operation after a pledge from President Joe Biden in early March that no US boats will go ashore. The UN’s World Food Program would lead efforts to distribute the aid inside Gaza after it reaches the beach.
But officials from the United Nations and aid organizations who spoke with Al-Monitor said the UN has yet to finalize an agreement with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on WFP's role, citing concerns over humanitarian independence and Israel's rules of engagement.
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