Russia says US should urge an end to Gaza blockade instead of pier
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Russia's Ambassador to the United States underlines that the United States should try to urge "Israel" to lift the blockade on Gaza rather than spend millions building a failing pier.
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Palestinian children collect food aid in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, June 15, 2024 (AP)
The Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has called on the United States to demand that the Israeli occupation lift its blockade on Gaza and allow significant volumes of humanitarian aid to enter the war-stricken strip.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Gaza, Nebenzia emphasized that Washington should prioritize lifting the blockade over constructing a pier for aid deliveries.
"Instead of building the pier, Washington could have demanded that Israel lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of truly substantial aid volumes," Nebenzia said.
This meeting was convened as Russia took over the presidency of the UN Security Council in July. Russia has stressed the importance of ongoing discussions to address the war on Gaza and achieve an immediate ceasefire.
The $230 million floating pier linked to the shore of Gaza, a crucial component of President Joe Biden's strategy to allegedly assist Palestinians during the war on Gaza, has spent more time out of service than operational.
Pallets of food and medication arriving by sea have built up on the beach on many of its active days due to a lack of vehicles needed to transport the supplies to warehouses around the Gaza Strip. Some officials have questioned the project's feasibility in these circumstances.
The pier was dismantled yet again on Friday, with the Pentagon announcing that this was a precautionary measure against anticipated rough sea conditions.
"Due to high sea states expected this weekend, Central Command has removed the temporary pier from its anchored position in Gaza and will tow it back to Ashdod, Israel," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.
Singh noted that relocating the pier temporarily aims to prevent potential structural damage due to the forecasted adverse weather conditions.
The decision to remove the pier was made following careful assessment and consideration of the sea state forecasts.
While the Commander continues to monitor the sea states over the weekend, Singh said she could not provide a specific date for when the pier will be reinstalled.
Gaza running out of fuel
Nebenzia also expressed serious concerns over reports from Gaza's Ministry of Health indicating that hospitals in the blockaded strip would run out of fuel within 48 hours.
"We're seriously disquieted by the latest reports by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, regarding the fact that the fuel required to run hospitals will run out in a matter of 48 hours," Nebenzia stated during the Security Council meeting.
On June 30, Gaza's Health Ministry warned that hospitals, medical centers, and oxygen stations could shut down within 48 hours due to a lack of fuel for generators. Ministry officials urged the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to intervene swiftly to provide necessary fuel and generators.
The Palestinian Red Crescent announced Thursday that 18 ambulances had stopped working in the Gaza Strip due to running out of fuel as a result of the occupation closing the crossings leading into the Strip.
Moreover, on several occasions, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza underlined that the Israeli occupation's siege would lead its hospitals to run out of fuel before more aid is allowed to enter.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in late June that the closure of the Rafah border crossing, which is the only available land pathway into the besieged Gaza Strip via Egypt, will affect fuel and aid supplied, as well as the movement of civilians.
