Is the American-built pier in Gaza useful or a fiasco?

The American-built pier in Gaza, also known as the Trident Pier, has been a topic of debate since its construction. The pier was built at a cost of $230 million and was intended to provide a “massive increase” in aid to the people of Gaza. However, the reality has been far from straightforward.

The pier is located in the Netzarim corridor, a six-kilometer stretch of road that runs along the border of Gaza and Israel. The area is a dusty moonscape, with buildings on both sides reduced to rubble. The pier itself is a hulking steel structure that stretches into the Mediterranean Sea. It was finished in May, but was soon damaged by rough seas and was only operational for two of its first six weeks.

Despite the challenges, the pier has delivered over 6,200 tonnes of aid since its completion, which is equivalent to 25-30 lorries per day. However, this is far short of the 150 lorries per day that the American government had promised. The pier is just one part of a larger aid operation, with supplies also entering Gaza through Kerem Shalom and three land crossings in the north.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed initiative, has reported that hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza were at risk of famine in March. However, thanks to an increase in aid deliveries, famine has been temporarily avoided. However, the IPC also reported that 495,000 Gazans, or almost 25% of the population, still face “catastrophic” levels of hunger. Many Gazans have been forced to sell their clothes to buy food, and one in five people goes entire days and nights without eating.

The staging areas next to the pier have two sets of gates, one for lorries coming from the pier and another for Palestinian drivers picking up aid. However, the Israeli army has reported that no one has used the eastern gates for two weeks, and 7,000 pallets of aid have piled up in the staging areas. The aid is getting into Gaza, but it is not being distributed.

Israel blames Hamas for the delays, citing attacks on the pier and Kerem Shalom. However, aid workers say that the Israeli army is also to blame, citing delays and a lack of coordination. The UN has warned that it will suspend its operations in Gaza unless the Israeli army improves its coordination.

Many Palestinians are skeptical of the pier, with some believing that it was built for military purposes rather than to deliver aid. The pier has also been the site of controversy, with Israeli troops freeing four hostages held by Hamas near the pier and then evacuating them from Gaza.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is complex and deeply entrenched. The UN insists that a lasting truce is the only solution, but it does not look imminent. The Israeli prime minister has proposed a “partial deal” to release some of the hostages, but has also said that he is committed to continuing the war. The situation is a stark reminder of the challenges of delivering aid in a conflict zone.

Key points:

• The American-built pier in Gaza has delivered over 6,200 tonnes of aid since its completion.
• The pier is just one part of a larger aid operation, with supplies also entering Gaza through Kerem Shalom and three land crossings in the north.
• Hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza were at risk of famine in March, but thanks to an increase in aid deliveries, famine has been temporarily avoided.
• 495,000 Gazans, or almost 25% of the population, still face “catastrophic” levels of hunger.
• The Israeli army blames Hamas for delays in aid distribution, while aid workers say that the Israeli army is also to blame.
• The UN has warned that it will suspend its operations in Gaza unless the Israeli army improves its coordination.
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is complex and deeply entrenched, and a lasting truce is the only solution.

Historical Context:

The construction of the American-built pier in Gaza, also known as the Trident Pier, dates back to 2012. The pier was built as part of a larger aid operation aimed at providing relief to the people of Gaza, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. The blockade has had a devastating impact on the Gaza Strip, leading to widespread poverty, unemployment, and humanitarian crises. The pier was intended to increase the flow of aid into Gaza, but its effectiveness has been marred by delays, damage, and controversy.

The pier’s construction was a response to the 2008-2009 Gaza War, which resulted in widespread destruction and a significant increase in humanitarian needs. The war was sparked by the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Hamas militants, and it led to a significant escalation of violence in the region. The pier was seen as a way to increase the flow of aid into Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

However, the pier’s construction has been met with controversy and skepticism. Many Palestinians have questioned the pier’s purpose, with some believing that it was built for military purposes rather than to deliver aid. The pier has also been the site of controversy, with Israeli troops freeing four hostages held by Hamas near the pier and then evacuating them from Gaza.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The American-built pier in Gaza has delivered over 6,200 tonnes of aid since its completion, but this is far short of the 150 lorries per day promised by the American government.
• The pier is just one part of a larger aid operation, with supplies also entering Gaza through Kerem Shalom and three land crossings in the north.
• Hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza were at risk of famine in March, but thanks to an increase in aid deliveries, famine has been temporarily avoided.
• 495,000 Gazans, or almost 25% of the population, still face “catastrophic” levels of hunger.
• The Israeli army blames Hamas for delays in aid distribution, while aid workers say that the Israeli army is also to blame.
• The UN has warned that it will suspend its operations in Gaza unless the Israeli army improves its coordination.
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is complex and deeply entrenched, and a lasting truce is the only solution.
• The pier has been damaged by rough seas and was only operational for two of its first six weeks.
• The staging areas next to the pier have two sets of gates, one for lorries coming from the pier and another for Palestinian drivers picking up aid, but the eastern gates have not been used for two weeks, and 7,000 pallets of aid have piled up in the staging areas.
• Many Palestinians are skeptical of the pier, and some believe that it was built for military purposes rather than to deliver aid.