U.S. Resumes Aid Deliveries to Gaza via Temporary Pier
Washington, D.C. – The United States has resumed deliveries of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip via a temporary pier constructed at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The pier was built to facilitate the flow of goods into Gaza after Israel closed the Rafah crossing, the main entry point for aid, in response to the Hamas takeover of the territory in June 2007. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been delivering aid to Gaza since the conflict began in December 2008. The aid includes food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The resumption of aid deliveries comes as part of a broader effort by the United States and the international community to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United Nations has estimated that at least 1.4 million people in Gaza are in need of humanitarian assistance. “The United States is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza,” said USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore. “The resumption of these deliveries is a critical step in helping to meet the urgent needs of those most vulnerable.” The United States has provided more than $600 million in humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians since the beginning of the conflict. The aid has been used to provide food, medicine, shelter, and other essential services to the people of Gaza. The United States is also working with the Palestinian Authority and the international community to develop a long-term solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United States supports the creation of a viable Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.US Resumes Aid Deliveries to Gaza via Repaired Pier
US Resumes Aid Deliveries to Gaza via Repaired Pier
WASHINGTON, June 9 (Bernama-Anadolu)
– The United States (US) on Saturday resumed aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip through the temporary pier that was repaired after it broke up in rough seas late last month, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported, citing Central Command (CENTCOM). “Today, a total of approximately 492 tons (~1.1 million pounds) of much-needed humanitarian assistance was delivered to the people of Gaza,” CENTCOM wrote on Twitter. “To date, USCENTCOM has assisted in the delivery of more than 1,573 tons (~3.5 million pounds) of humanitarian assistance.” CENTCOM emphasized that no US military personnel have landed in Gaza. The resumption of aid deliveries comes after rough seas struck four U.S. military ships supporting the maritime humanitarian relief mission in Gaza, causing the ships to break free from their moorings. Two ships were left anchored on the beach near the pier, while the third and fourth stranded on the coast of Israel near Ashkelon. US President Joe Biden ordered the construction of a sea route to deliver food and other aid to the Palestinians in March amidst Israeli restrictions and months of conflict in the enclave. The Floating Pier and the Trident Pier became operational on May 17, allowing trucks carrying humanitarian aid to arrive ashore via the pier. The initial cost of the pier was estimated at $320 million. However, the Pentagon said on Wednesday that the price had fallen to $230 million due to contributions from the United Kingdom (UK) and lower-than-expected costs for contracting trucks and equipment.
BERNAMA-ANADOLU
Additional Information:
* The JLOTS – the Floating Pier and the Trident Pier – became operational on May 17th. * The initial cost of the pier was estimated at $320 million, but the Pentagon said on Wednesday that the price had fallen to $230 million. * The US has delivered more than 1,573 tons of humanitarian assistance to Gaza to date.
US Resumes Delivery of Aid to Gaza via Temporary Pier
The United States has resumed delivering aid to the Gaza Strip via a temporary pier that was built after an Israeli airstrike destroyed the main crossing point last month. The pier, which is located in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, is being used to bring in humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said that the first shipment of aid arrived on the pier on Tuesday. The shipment included 50 truckloads of food and other supplies. “This is a critical development that will help to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza,” said UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness. Israel destroyed the main crossing point between Gaza and Israel, known as the Kerem Shalom crossing, on July 18th. The airstrike came after a rocket attack from Gaza killed an Israeli soldier. The closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing has caused severe shortages of food, fuel, and other essential supplies in Gaza. UNRWA estimates that over 1 million people in Gaza are in need of humanitarian assistance. The United States has been a major donor to UNRWA for decades. In 2014, the US provided over $300 million to UNRWA for its operations in Gaza. The resumption of aid delivery to Gaza is a welcome development, but it is still unclear how long the pier will be able to remain open. Israel has said that it will continue to target any attempts to bring weapons into Gaza.
