The Director of the United Nations World Food Program announced a temporary halt in the distribution of humanitarian aid from an American-built pier off Gaza due to safety concerns, following a highly destructive day of conflict in the region. Cindy McCain, leading the program, expressed her concerns following the damage to two of the WFP’s warehouses in Gaza, which were targeted by rockets, and an injury to a staff member. This incident coincided with a significant Israeli military operation aimed at rescuing hostages, an event that, according to Hamas claims, resulted in the death of 274 Palestinians. The Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged civilian casualties but blamed Hamas for engaging in conflict within densely populated areas.
UN World Food Program halts aid to Gaza through Biden’s $320 million “humanitarian pier” 2 days after Israel used the pier’s deconflicted area in a military operation that killed over 270 Gazans & released 4 hostages
WFP says 2 of its warehouses were bombed during the operation pic.twitter.com/DKpLwot7qj
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) June 10, 2024
The pause in operations represents a significant challenge for the US-initiated sea route, which was established to enhance the delivery of aid to the people of Gaza, who face severe food shortages. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) stated that the pause would allow for a comprehensive security assessment by the humanitarian community in Gaza. This comes after the pier, completed in mid-May, was briefly disrupted by storm damage and had only resumed operations a day before the pause, successfully delivering 492 metric tons of aid.
During an interview, McCain emphasized the need for safety assurances before resuming operations, despite the pier’s operational pause, other parts of the country continued to receive aid. USAID reiterated its commitment to ensuring that aid delivery could safely resume after the security review.
The UN World Food Program (WFP) has temporarily halted operations from a pier in central Gaza after two of the aid group’s warehouses in the enclave were hit in recent fighting, the agency’s director said.https://t.co/1QgcgcFvuS
— Axios (@axios) June 10, 2024
The establishment of the temporary pier was directed by President Joe Biden, as announced in his State of the Union address, to mitigate the impact of Israeli restrictions on land crossings and the ongoing conflict, which have pushed over a million people in Gaza to the brink of famine.
Following the Israeli military operation that resulted in the rescue of four hostages and heavy combat, the US Central Command clarified that the US pier and its assets were not utilized in the military efforts. It stressed that humanitarian efforts remain independent of military operations to avoid making aid workers and operations targets in conflict zones.
The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) “paused” deliveries through the US built Gaza sea pier
The move was announced following accusations that the American pier was used by Israel, during the Nuseirat massacre on Saturday, which led to the deaths of 274 Palestinians and the release… pic.twitter.com/idve2RKJa7
— MintPress News (@MintPressNews) June 10, 2024
McCain highlighted the necessity of a ceasefire to ensure the continued and scaled delivery of aid into Gaza, particularly after the recent violence affecting humanitarian operations. She confirmed that apart from the injured staff member, all other personnel were safe.
Major Points:
- Cindy McCain, director of the UN World Food Program, announced a pause in aid distribution from an American-built pier off Gaza due to safety concerns following rocket attacks on WFP warehouses and staff injuries.
- The halt occurred after a violent day that included an Israeli military operation to free hostages, reportedly leaving 274 Palestinians dead according to unverified Hamas claims.
- The IDF acknowledged civilian casualties but blamed Hamas for operating in densely populated areas.
- The pause is part of a broader security review by the humanitarian community in Gaza, with USAID and other partners working to ensure safe resumption of aid.
- The pier had only recently become operational again, delivering significant amounts of food and aid before the suspension, amid ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
