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TEL AVIV — The U.N. World Food Programme on Friday distributed food aid brought ashore by the U.S. military pier system to Gaza’s population for the first time since June 9, according to two U.S. officials.
The U.S. military has continued to deliver aid to the beach in Gaza via its floating dock and temporary pier, known as the JLOTS system, but the aid has piled up for weeks because the U.N. suspended distribution amid security concerns.
There are now an estimated 15 million pounds of aid on the shore, officials say, awaiting movement to nearby warehouses.
“The current environment here is complex and more challenging than anything I’ve seen,” said Doug Stropes, chief of the USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance. “There is a tremendous challenge right now with trucks that are being looted.”
Friday’s distribution followed a successful test run, according to the U.S. officials. The U.S. military monitored the movement of the goods to make sure they were secure.
“There was a plan, then a test, and the test was successful,” a U.S. official said. U.S. officials are hopeful the aid distribution can continue, but said they will take that day by day.
NBC News reported on Thursday that a senior U.N. official, a senior Israeli official and a U.S. military commander had met at an Israeli military base near Ashdod on Wednesday night and discussed restarting aid distribution.
The JLOTS system itself was taken offline on Friday and towed back to port in Ashdod, Israel, as the sea became rough enough to damage the temporary pier.
NBC News also reported Thursday that the system was likely to be taken offline this weekend because of rising sea states. This is the fourth time it has been moved because of weather concerns or damage to the pier since the system became operational on May 17.
U.S. officials have also been discussing a possible alternative route for aid delivery, two defense officials said. Future deliveries could go via a fixed pier in Ashdod, about 20 miles above the Gaza Strip’s northern border, instead of the JLOTS system.
If the new route is approved, aid would go to Cyprus to be scanned by Cypriot and Israeli officials, with the help of a U.S. military scanner called a T25, the defense officials said. Once checked and cleared, officials would spray paint each pallet and load it on U.S. military ships to transit to Ashdod. The aid would be moved immediately to a crossing into Gaza without further screening.
Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.
Mosheh Gains is a Pentagon producer for NBC News.
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