The floating pier in Gaza, built by the USA to bring in aid, risks being damaged again by high waves.
But the project faces bigger challenges than that: the UN has paused deliveries via the pier due to ethical uncertainties.
The pier, built on behalf of the American government in the spring, was meant to provide an open route for supplies to the suffering Palestinian population. However, it is sensitive to weather and wind, and has already required repairs after being damaged in a storm in May.
Now the pier is being temporarily moved to an Israeli port to avoid further damage in an impending storm, according to the US military command Centcom.
Uncertainties surrounding hostage release
Aid deliveries via the pier, which have so far totalled around 3,500 tonnes, will resume when the pier is back in place, according to Centcom – if there are any deliveries to resume.
The UN's food agency (WFP) has paused deliveries via the pier after Israel conducted a military operation in the area, in connection with the release of four hostages. Over 270 Palestinians were killed in connection with the release.
Deliveries paused
The USA and Israel have stated that an area near the pier was used to retrieve the hostages by helicopter, but deny that the pier was used in connection with the event. However, rumours have circulated on social media that this was the case – which poses a great risk to aid workers, according to aid organisations.
The UN has therefore paused deliveries via the pier to investigate the matter.
Humanitarian aid must not be used or perceived as taking sides in a conflict. The safety of our humanitarian aid workers depends on all parties, and the communities on the ground, trusting their impartiality, says the UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.
