Temporary pier does not replace land crossings into Gaza: US aid agency

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A temporary pier constructed off the Gazan coast will not replace land crossings into the besieged enclave, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday.

"The pier that opened today does not replace or substitute for land crossings into Gaza, every one of which needs to operate at maximum capacity and efficiency," Samantha Power said in a statement.

"Every moment that a crossing is not open, that trucks are not moving, or where aid cannot safely be distributed, increases the terrible human costs of this conflict," said Power.

Her remarks came after trucks carrying humanitarian assistance early Friday began moving ashore via a temporary pier in Gaza.

This corridor is a multinational and combined effort, Power said, adding it will be used to move aid from a range of partner governments to humanitarian organizations ready to facilitate its distribution to Palestinians throughout Gaza.

"Humanitarian assistance is moved through maritime corridor. The establishment of this corridor comes as already catastrophic conditions in Gaza continue to worsen," she said.

With more than two million people throughout Gaza in "dire need" of food, shelter, medicine, and other assistance, Power said it is "vital" that the international donor community maximize all available means to get aid to people in need.

- 'Israel should protect civilians and humanitarian workers'

Through the humanitarian maritime corridor, USAID is providing initial contributions of hundreds of metric tons of life-saving aid, including nutrient rich food, and critical supplies such as plastic sheeting for shelter, jerry cans to hold clean water, and hygiene kits, she said.

Power also urged Israel to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and to facilitate the transport of increasing aid shipments by land and sea, accelerate inspections, open up all avenues of access, and facilitate safe movements of aid convoys within Gaza so humanitarians can get aid directly and effectively to those who need it.

"We will also continue to push forcefully for an immediate ceasefire – one that brings the hostages home, enables a surge in humanitarian aid, and protects Israeli and Palestinian civilians – and an end to this conflict," she added.

The Pentagon announced March 8 that it would undertake an emergency mission to establish the pier to deliver up to 2 million meals per day.

The mission includes a floating pier -- an 1,800-foot-long causeway -- that will be attached to the shore and a group of logistic support vessels.

Israel's onslaught on Gaza, which began after an Oct. 7 incursion by the Palestinian group, Hamas, has devastated the enclave and plunged 2.3 million residents into a humanitarian catastrophe.