The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) has expressed concerns over the success of a $320 million pier project aimed at delivering aid to Gaza, urging Israel to provide the necessary conditions for safe operations. Following a chaotic launch that resulted in looting and one Palestinian fatality, the WFP has called for increased cooperation to ensure the smooth delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The WFP reported that deliveries from the newly constructed pier were halted on Sunday, as Saturday's aid convoy failed to reach the intended warehouses within Gaza. Only 10 trucks managed to enter through the pier on Friday, while all 11 aid trucks dispatched on Saturday were commandeered by a crowd of people nearby and did not reach their intended destination.

Abeer Etefa, spokesperson for the WFP, revealed that the agency is now reevaluating logistics and security measures, as well as exploring alternative routes within Gaza. Working in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the WFP seeks to coordinate the delivery of food through the new American route.

Steve Taravella, another spokesperson for the WFP, stressed the significance of a continuous flow of supplies into Gaza to mitigate the challenges faced. He highlighted the need for community acceptance and trust, emphasizing that without sufficient supplies, issues would persist. Taravella further voiced concerns about the operation's success, prompting the WFP to raise the issue with relevant parties and request alternative roads for aid delivery.

In addition to the difficulties at the newly installed dock, the WFP announced that food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has been suspended due to insufficient supplies and security concerns.

The pier project was initiated at the direction of President Joe Biden, who sought to address the severe food crisis faced by Gaza's 2.3 million residents following the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October. Israeli restrictions on food and aid shipments through land borders, coupled with ongoing fighting, have exacerbated the crisis.

The initial shipments to the U.S. pier were overseen by both the U.S. and Israeli militaries. However, specific details concerning the events of Saturday remain scarce. Associated Press footage shows Israeli armored vehicles on a beach road, followed by aid trucks moving along the same route. As civilians gathered, some of them began climbing onto the trucks, leading to looting. Tragically, one Palestinian man was killed by a rifle shot, confirmed by a local morgue.

At present, it is unclear who fired the shots. When questioned about the incident, the Israeli army focused on eliminating threats from Hamas, the terrorist organization.

The WFP's concerns over the success of the aid delivery project highlight the need for increased cooperation and security measures to ensure that much-needed supplies reach the people of Gaza in a timely and efficient manner.