UN agency gives nod to relaying aid via sea, says US

WASHINGTON: The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has agreed to help deliver aid for the starving civilians of Gaza once the United States military completes a pier for transporting the humanitarian assistance by sea, US officials said.

The involvement of the UN agency could help resolve one of the major obstacles facing the Us-planned project – the reluctance of aid groups to handle on-the-ground distribution of food and other badly needed goods in Gaza absent significant changes by Israel.

An Israeli military attack April 1 that killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen intensified international criticism of Israel for failing to provide security for humanitarian workers or allow adequate amounts of aid across its land borders.

US President Joe Biden, himself facing criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while supporting Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, announced March 8 that the US military would build the temporary pier and causeway, as an alternative to the land routes.

The US Agency for International Development confirmed that it would partner with the WFP on delivering assistance to Gaza via the maritime corridor.

“This is a complex operation that requires coordination between many partners. Our conversations are ongoing.

“Throughout Gaza, the safety and security of humanitarian actors is critical to the delivery of assistance, and we continue to advocate for measures that will give humanitarians greater assurances,” it said on Friday.

US and WFP officials are working on how to deliver the aid to Palestinian civilians “in an independent, neutral, and impartial manner,” the agency said.

Israel promised to open more border crossings into Gaza and increase the flow of aid after its drone strikes killed the seven aid workers, who were delivering food into the Palestinian territory.

The war was sparked when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, has caused widespread devastation and killed over 34,000 people, according to local health officials.

Hundreds of UN and other humanitarian workers are among those killed by Israeli strikes.— AP