Biden administration seals critical deal for aid distribution from US military pier near Gaza coast

The Biden administration has reached an agreement with a major UN agency to distribute aid from the pier being built off the coast of Gaza. This is a significant development as the US and its allies work quickly to finalize plans for delivering humanitarian aid within the war-torn area.

The construction of the pier by the US military is anticipated to be completed by early next month. The World Food Programme (WFP) has confirmed that it will assist in the distribution of aid from the pier after extensive diplomatic negotiations.

The UN, along with the US and other partners, has agreed to collaborate on the maritime corridor to provide additional relief to Gaza. This is on the condition that humanitarian principles are upheld and that land access is also improved, as mentioned by a spokesperson in an interview with CNN.

The main goal of this collaboration is to deliver as much food as possible to the people in Gaza who are facing starvation, with the aim of preventing a potential famine, the spokesperson further explained.

The US has played a multifaceted role in the mission, with the military working on a challenging construction project in a conflict zone, while diplomats coordinate a risky aid distribution effort. Meanwhile, a private American company is looking to set up a similar operation in the eastern Mediterranean, requiring security assistance from the UN.

Logistics have been a major challenge due to the absence of US troops on the ground in Gaza, as President Joe Biden made clear when unveiling the pier last month.

This week, some US officials were unsure about who would transport aid from the beach to the warehouses. Humanitarian organizations have not been informed about the distribution plans from the pier yet. However, a senior US official mentioned that the distribution system will be similar to how aid is distributed at the Kerem Shalom border crossing in Israel. Aid groups will take control of their cargo at the shoreline, while commercial assistance will be moved by contracted partners.

The aid will originate from Cyprus and will be loaded onto ships before being sent to the US military pier. From there, it will be trucked over a US military-constructed causeway to the Gaza shoreline. According to officials, both US military and commercial ships will be able to transport aid to the US military pier. However, only the US military will have access to the causeway.

The US government has been working hard in recent weeks to persuade potential partners, such as the UN, to collaborate in an aid distribution area protected by the Israel Defense Forces, according to sources familiar with the discussions as reported by CNN.

One senior official, who spoke to CNN, mentioned that after weeks of coordination and communication with organizations like WFP and UN agencies responsible for security and decision-making, progress has been made. The official stated that WFP will now be taking on this important task.

The UN and other aid groups were hesitant to partner with the IDF in Gaza due to safety concerns. IDF airstrikes have tragically claimed the lives of over 200 aid workers since October 7.

According to a humanitarian official speaking to CNN, there is a general wariness of being closely associated with the IDF for security and political reasons.

US officials have also informed CNN about concerns in the region and at the UN regarding the impact of the pier operation. There is worry that it may reduce the pressure on Israel to maintain the land corridors into Gaza, which were the main routes for delivering aid before the conflict.

According to a humanitarian official, discussions at the highest levels of the administration and the United Nations have addressed the question of whether the US pier will be linked to the existing UN distribution channels within Gaza.

The World Food Programme is dedicated to finding ways to increase aid to Gaza. This involves exploring sea and air routes in addition to land access. The group is open to receiving assistance through a maritime corridor, as long as humanitarian principles are upheld, neutrality and independence are maintained, and staff can work safely.

A private company named Fogbow, led by former US military and intelligence officials, is currently establishing its own maritime aid operation. This operation will run alongside the US military-led process, but it will be independent from it, as reported by individuals familiar with the plan.

Fogbow has identified a construction company owned by a Palestinian-American with a vast storage facility near Israel’s border to help move the aid. Some aid groups prefer the UN to handle all distribution, expressing concerns about concentrating power into the hands of one wealthy Palestinian entrepreneur, Bashar al Masri.

Fogbow's initial plan involves using Masri's trucks to transport much of the aid to the Gaza Industrial Estate, a zone in Gaza developed by a company chaired by Masri called the Palestine Development and Investment Company.

Masri declined to provide a comment.

Gaza's coastline spans approximately 25 miles, and there is uncertainty regarding the distance between the US military's aid drop zone and Fogbow's location. Sources familiar with Fogbow's activities mentioned that the IDF had agreed to oversee their security. However, it would be more convenient if the two drop zones were closer to each other to manage a smaller security perimeter for the IDF.

But this close proximity also brings up concerns about how the distribution networks will interact - will they clash or work together harmoniously?

According to Scott Paul, who is the associate director of peace and security at Oxfam, it is important to avoid creating a separate humanitarian system that could potentially function independently without any interruptions.

"We want to avoid creating a separate humanitarian system that could potentially undermine the UN's leadership role or increase Israeli control in Gaza," he explained. "These are the things we are monitoring closely."

The US government has emphasized that the pier is meant to complement existing land routes, not replace them. However, Paul noted that there is a growing effort to make use of the maritime corridor and pier to prevent it from becoming a symbol of diplomatic failure.

The World Food Programme spokesperson stressed the significance of the sea corridor opening in Gaza. They highlighted that it should work alongside, not instead of, the existing entry points of Rafah and Kerem Shalom, as well as the need for more land crossings into northern Gaza.

Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned that while WFP supports all initiatives to boost the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, road access remains a top priority. They explained that truck convoys are unparalleled in their capacity to transport large volumes of aid, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and improving road access for aid delivery.

Fogbow will be funded through the Maritime Humanitarian Aid Foundation based in Geneva. The foundation is led by Cameron Hume, a former US Ambassador. Qatar has pledged $60 million for the effort, equivalent to two months of operating costs.

Fogbow is open to using the US military pier for aid delivery, but it is not a necessity. The company plans to contract a maritime logistics firm to dredge near Gaza's coastline. This will allow a barge, also arranged by Fogbow, to safely deliver aid close to shore.

One person familiar with the Fogbow plan mentioned that they are planning to establish an additional beach landing site for aid. This will help in increasing the number of aid drop zones along the coast, allowing aid to reach areas that may be difficult to access through traditional land routes. They also highlighted that this initiative will ensure a continued flow of aid into Gaza by sea, even if the US military decides to withdraw or cease operations at the pier.

According to US officials speaking to CNN, the US military is expected to continue operating the pier they built for the next three months. The long-term objective, however, is to transform it into a commercial facility that can be utilized by various countries and non-governmental organizations, including Fogbow, on a full-time basis.

Paul from Oxfam raised an important concern regarding the pier. He mentioned that a crucial question for the US government is whether they have received assurances from Israel, who will be in charge of securing the infrastructure, that Palestinians will be allowed to use the system after the US departs.

Paul pointed out that if the US builds the pier without this assurance, and they eventually have to leave, then the IDF could end up controlling it. This could create a potential chokepoint for aid and commercial imports.

Editor's P/S:

The ongoing efforts to provide aid to the war-torn Gaza region highlight the complex challenges and international cooperation involved in humanitarian crises. The construction of a pier by the US military and the involvement of UN agencies, private companies, and the Israeli Defense Forces underscore the multifaceted nature of the situation.

While the pier is intended to facilitate aid distribution, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on existing land routes and the dependence on Israeli security forces. The need to balance humanitarian principles with security measures is paramount, as is ensuring that the distribution system is transparent and equitable. The involvement of multiple actors, each with their own interests and concerns, further complicates the situation. It is crucial that all parties involved prioritize the well-being of the people of Gaza and work towards a sustainable solution that meets their needs and upholds their rights.