Defence Secretary blocks Gaza aid drops after parcel kills five
GRANT SHAPPS stopped British aid drops being parachuted into Gaza after a parcel killed five people last week.
The Defence Secretary raised concerns about the method of parachuting aid on “safety grounds” after civilians died when a parachute malfunctioned in on one airdrop north of Gaza City.
Sources insisted his rationale for blocking aid was because of the risk to life, as they revealed the UK had drawn up plans for a new sea pier to be built in the warzone that will create a more “effective” route for vital provisions to be transported into the coastal territory.
On Friday a US military cargo plane airdropped more than 11,500 meals to Gaza, in what was Washington’s fourth joint operation with Jordan this month. The US denied it had caused the deaths.
Mr Shapps, who previously gave the Jordanians 600 parachutes to deliver aid to Gaza, wants the vital provisions to be administered in a more “significant and a more substantial approach”.
The UK has spearheaded designs to build the sea pier that will enable aid to enter Gaza in what is considered to be a safer method than parachuting.
The Telegraph understands the port will be ready in between 45 and 60 days, after Mr Shapps ordered hydrographic plans to be carried out by Royal Marine commandos to see how “overthe-beach” deliveries could be made. It is thought the US will take the lead with building the pier, although the teams involved in the construction are in “several different locations outside of Gaza”.
It is thought it will allow two million meals a day to be delivered to those inside Gaza, although this will require the support of Israelis, Palestinians on the ground and an NGO to deliver.
While the pier’s primary use will be aid, it is understood it will eventually be used for the reconstruction of Gaza.
A source said: “Mr Shapps strongly supported getting aid in by a more significant, substantial means that could save vast swathes of people, including having an over-the-beach plan.”