WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.N. World Food Program has agreed to help deliver aid for the starving civilians of Gaza once the U.S. military completes a pier for transporting the humanitarian assistance by sea, U.S. officials said Friday.
The involvement of the U.N. agency could help resolve one of the major obstacles facing the U.S.-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.
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 U.S. military would build the temporary pier and causeway, as an alternative to the land routes.
Mainland urges Taiwan to publish truth of fatal boat incident
Bullying rife at Buller High School, students say
VOX POPULI: Leadership skills of the past are missing in the politics of today
VOX POPULI: Rooting for the Sendai killifish that survived the 2011 tsunami
Lottery 'loser' boyfriend, 39, who is fighting his ex
HKFP Lens: Hong Kong photographers document their last moments in the city
Public servants want to know if management positions will be on the chopping block
Coronavirus China update: China's funeral homes overcrowded amid COVID
US China updates: Beijing sanctions Lockheed Martin, Raytheon for Taiwan sales
Coyotes' move to Salt Lake City elicits opposing responses in 2 cities
Concorde makes journey along New York's Hudson River