A Pentagon spokesperson acknowledged that civilians in Gaza have not received any of the 529 tons of aid that was unloaded from the newly constructed humanitarian pier in the coastal enclave.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told CNN on Tuesday that he “did not believe” that any of the assistance had reached the local population, despite the structure coming online last week.
Ryder blamed the disruption on individuals "who took that aid off those vehicles."
The reported thefts have caused the United Nations, the primary agency responsible for food and medicine distribution in the region, to suspend operations until they can establish alternative transportation routes.
The general’s statement comes as numerous media reports have suggested that Hamas terrorists regularly confiscate cargo that is intended for the use of non-combatants in the warzone.
Related Story: Biden’s Humanitarian Pier in Gaza Installed and Waiting for Deliveries
