Pier distributing aid to Gaza washed away by waves
Just starting to distribute aid to Gaza, the US floating dock was hit by high waves. Safer distribution via land.
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The image from the US Central Command shows US soldiers who are assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) and the Israeli Defense Forces placing the Trident dock on the shore of the Gaza Strip on May 16, 2024.
GAZA, SUNDAY — Part of the floating dock specifically for the distribution of Gaza aid that was built by the United States was washed away by high waves. Four ships belonging to the US Army were even freed from their moorings. Some of the dock that was washed away was carried all the way to the Ashdod coast in Israel.
Two ships were stranded on the beach near the dock and two other ships were stranded on the beach near Ashkelon, Israel. Although hit by high waves, the dock was reportedly still functional because only a part of it was detached.
Also read: US Builds Floating Pier in Gaza to Facilitate Aid Distribution
This was announced by US Central Command (CENTCOM), Saturday (25/5/2024). The Al Jazeera news site said there were no injuries and the four drifting ships were being rescued with help from the US and Israeli navies. High sea waves came during the process of transporting humanitarian aid.
A ship was seen off the coast of Gaza near the US-made floating dock that will be used to facilitate aid shipments, as seen from the center of Gaza Strip on May 16, 2024.
The US Department of Defense emphasized that during this operation, not a single US personnel will enter the Gaza region. CENTCOM stated that 1,005 tons of aid have been sent from the sea to the beach transfer point on Friday (24/5/2024). Approximately 903 tons were distributed from the transfer point to United Nations warehouses.
The construction of the $320 million floating dock was completed in mid-May. The dock was built by 1,000 soldiers and sailors.
This pier is only used to distribute aid to the Gaza Strip. The pier has attracted protests and criticism because the process is considered complicated and expensive.
The US is suspected of trying to divert attention from the international community's demands for Israel to open all land crossings to Gaza and secure entry of aid trucks. This is actually a much simpler alternative than delivering aid through floating docks.
A ship carrying international humanitarian aid was docked at the Trident Wharf built by the US while Palestinian residents walked along the main road near Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip on May 21, 2024.
The news site Al Mayadeen reported on Saturday that the mission to build a floating dock involved 14 ships from the US and other countries. During its first week of operation, only 820 tons of aid were transported through the dock. About two-thirds of it arrived at the distribution point in Gaza.
Also read: The Hidden Mission Behind Israel's Scenario of Evacuating Gazans from Rafah
This figure is still far from the initial target, namely 90 trucks per day, and only represents 15 percent of the estimated minimum daily needs for Gaza's 2 million people. US President Joe Biden said in March that the US-made floating dock was being built to overcome Israeli restrictions on sending aid over land to Gaza.
The biggest challenge of the floating dock is the harsh weather and waves in the Mediterranean Sea. This runs the risk of damaging or even destroying the dock. During the installation process, the dock was already hit by a storm. Not only is the installation process difficult, removing it will also be a hassle.
Refugees from Palestine queue for drinking water at the Deir al-Balah refugee camp, Gaza Strip, on May 21, 2024.
The United Nations has called for all food distribution in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, to be stopped on May 21st. The reason is the lack of humanitarian aid supplies and the security situation that cannot be maintained due to Israel's military operation expansion in Rafah.
The humanitarian operation throughout the Gaza Strip is almost failing. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) also stated that aid delivery to Gaza is best done through land routes. This method cannot be replaced because the amount of aid needed is very large.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) urges for the opening of additional crossing points to the Gaza Strip on May 17. These points serve as a lifeline for the Palestinian people.
While holding the Israeli flag, people stand in front of a humanitarian aid truck entering the Gaza Strip near the Kerem Shalom border in southern Israel on May 9, 2024.
Also read: International Court Orders Israel to Stop Attacks on Rafah
The WFP also stated that humanitarian operations in Gaza have almost failed. Only a small amount of food or fuel can reach the community in Gaza through land routes due to limited access via border crossings.
However, the US Department of Defense has declared that the situation has been secured and humanitarian assistance has been able to reach Gaza. Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, stated that the WFP has successfully secured 97 aid trucks since the floating dock began operating on May 17th.
"At first, it was difficult. In the first few days, many people were stealing the contents of the trucks heading to the warehouse. Now, the situation is stable," said Dujarric.
Indonesian support
In Jakarta, Indonesia has expressed support for the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) instructing Israel to immediately cease its military operation in Rafah. The ICJ also ordered access to the Gaza Strip to be guaranteed for fact-finding commissions or other investigative agencies to investigate the genocide committed by Israel. In addition, the ICJ ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages held by Hamas in the attack on October 7, 2023.
Humanitarian aid was dropped in the Gaza region by air on Monday (25/3/2024). Israel was urged to open its doors to humanitarian aid for Gaza.
As reported in Kompas, Sunday (26/5/2024), Israel continued to attack Gaza, including Rafah, even though the ICJ ordered Israel to stop attacks. Israel has not indicated it will change the course of its operations in Rafah. Even though it is not binding, the ICJ order provides fresh air for efforts to pressure Israel to stop the war in Gaza.
Also read: Ignore ICJ Orders, Israel Still Attacks Rafah
During Israel's military bombardment of Gaza, officials stated that diplomatic efforts would likely continue in the coming days. They hope to reach a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages.
US President Joe Biden has emphasized Washington's involvement in urgent diplomatic efforts to ensure a ceasefire so that all hostages can return home soon. Egypt, as a mediator, is also working to reactivate ceasefire negotiations.
Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage in Gaza since Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, staged a protest near the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday (1/21/2024).
From Israel's perspective, Mossad Director David Barnea has approved a new framework for ceasefire negotiations when meeting with the leader of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and mediator from Qatar in Paris, France. An Israeli official who requested anonymity revealed that Israel intends to renew discussions on this issue this week.
However, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera that there have been no discussions about this issue so far. Only Israel has mentioned it. (REUTERS/AFP)
