Press Release: Management Advisory: Review of the DoD’s Roles and Responsibilities for Facilitating the Delivery of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Through the Maritime Corridor[...]

Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the DoD Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the "Management Advisory: Review of the DoD's Roles and Responsibilities for Facilitating the Delivery of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Through the Maritime Corridor." The review examined the DoD's execution of its roles and responsibilities for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the DoD's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) capability and the Port of Ashdod in Israel. The review was closely coordinated with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General, which previously issued its report regarding the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the JLOTS capability. In addition, the DoD OIG is currently conducting a broader evaluation of the DoD's capabilities to effectively carry out JLOTS operations and exercises.

"Despite facing a number of external challenges, the DoD was effective in facilitating the delivery of all humanitarian aid requested by the U.S. Agency for International Development through the maritime corridor," said IG Storch. "The DoD used the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability for 32% of its mission. However, given the challenges that it faced, it is important that the DoD analyze lessons from this operation to enhance the future planning of humanitarian aid initiatives involving DoD assistance."

USAID requested that the DoD facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies and logistics support from Cyprus to Gaza through the maritime corridor. The DoD OIG found that DoD officials provided logistical support related to the screening of humanitarian aid in Cyprus, the loading and transporting of aid through the JLOTS capability or the Port of Ashdod, and the transfer of aid to humanitarian partners on the Gaza shore or the Port of Ashdod. DoD officials identified external factors, such as weather, the availability of humanitarian aid for delivery, and the availability of third parties to accept and deliver humanitarian aid, as reasons why the JLOTS capability was only used for 20 days out of the 63-day JLOTS mission. During and after the U.S. government's use of the JLOTS to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the DoD also used the Port of Ashdod to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid through the maritime corridor.

The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Central Command conduct an after-action review to identify lessons learned that could be applicable to future contingency planning and humanitarian aid efforts. Management took action to address the recommendation in the report; therefore, the DoD OIG considered the recommendation closed on issuance of this advisory.