The U.S.-constructed pier designed to deliver food to Gaza is encountering substantial hurdles as the United Nations, its key humanitarian collaborator, assesses the safety of ongoing supply deliveries.

This scrutiny follows a June 8 Israeli security operation that freed four hostages but resulted in the deaths of more than 270 Palestinians. In response to the incident, the U.N. has temporarily halted its operations with the pier, citing concerns over neutrality and the safety of humanitarian workers.

The raid raised concerns about the U.S. sea route’s impact on humanitarian neutrality and independence. Aid organizations worry that their cooperation with the U.S. military-backed and Israeli-secured project might lead to them being perceived as allies and, therefore, targets in the conflict.

Both Israel and the U.S. deny using the pier for military purposes during the raid, but the event has intensified scrutiny and distrust among the Palestinian public and militants.

The U.N. World Food Program (WFP), a key player in transferring aid from the $230 million pier to Gaza, suspended its operations to conduct a security review. Aid has since accumulated on the beach. U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths emphasized the importance of assessing the situation thoroughly to ensure the safety of future humanitarian efforts and maintain trust in their impartiality.

Rumors and perceptions of the pier being used for military purposes have increased the risk to aid workers. The U.N. and other humanitarian groups are concerned that any association with military operations could endanger their staff and undermine their neutrality. Suze van Meegen of the Norwegian Refugee Council highlighted that even if the pier wasn’t used militarily, the belief that it was poses a significant threat.

Aid organizations, including Oxfam International, are awaiting responses from the U.S. government regarding the pier’s usage and adherence to agreements that designate it as a no-go area for the Israeli military. The aid suspension adds to other logistical problems the pier has faced since its opening, such as crowds overwhelming aid trucks and damages from severe weather.

Despite the challenges, the pier has delivered over 2,500 metric tons of aid to Gaza. However, the U.N.’s decision on whether to resume cooperation is pending. Aid workers emphasize that their security relies on the acceptance of their neutrality by the communities they serve.

The skepticism of Palestinians towards U.S.-led initiatives complicates the situation, as the perception of impartiality is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of humanitarian efforts in conflict zones.