US military wraps up installation of Gaza pier; aid distribution to start within days

The US military finished setting up a floating pier for the Gaza Strip to start bringing in much-needed humanitarian aid on Thursday (May 16). This comes after over seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.

The pier was built following President Joe Biden's order over two months ago to help Palestinians who are starving due tolack of food and supplies. The situation worsened when Israel recently took control of the Rafah border crossing.

Despite challenges like logistics, weather, and security, this sea route plans to increase the amount of aid reaching Gaza. However, it's not as cost-effective as land routes, which are more sustainable. The aid delivered by boat will be unloaded at a port southwest of Gaza City, built by Israel, and then distributed by aid groups.

American officials have said that US troops will not go into Gaza, although they acknowledged the dangers of working close to the war zone.

The UN said that heavy fighting between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters near Rafah has forced about 600,000 people, or a quarter of Gaza's population, to flee their homes. Another 100,000 people have left northern Gaza because the Israeli military has started fighting there again.

Pentagon officials said that the fighting in Gaza isn't currently endangering the new shoreline aid area. However, they will keep a close watch on security conditions and might temporarily close the maritime route if needed. The site has already been targeted by mortar fire during construction, and Hamas has warned they will attack any foreign forces that enter Gaza.

The “protection of US forces participating is a top priority. And as such, in the last several weeks, the United States and Israel have developed an integrated security plan to protect all the personnel who are working," said Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, a deputy commander at the US military's Central Command.

According to a statement from the military's Central Command, US troops anchored the pier at 7:40 a.m. local time on Thursday.

Israeli forces will handle security on the shore, but two US Navy warships, the USS Arleigh Burke and the USS Paul Ignatius, are nearby in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. These destroyers have many weapons to protect American troops and allies on the beach.

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Gaza crisis deepens; bleak conditions grip region

Aid agencies said that they are almost out of food in southern Gaza and running low on fuel. This shortage will cause hospitals to stop critical operations and prevent aid trucks from delivering supplies. The United Nations and other agencies have warned for weeks that an Israeli attack on Rafah, near the main aid entry points on the Egypt border, would severely disrupt humanitarian efforts and lead to many civilian deaths.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)