JERUSALEM \u2014 An under-construction pier for a U.S.-led project to bring aid into the Gaza Strip came under fire Wednesday, forcing U.N. officials to take shelter there, Israeli and U.N. officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, which the Israelis described as a mortar shell attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities said that no one was wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attack marks a shaky start to the construction of the pier, a project that the U.S. is spearheading to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza. A Hamas official told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the militant group will resist any foreign military presence involved with the port project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While satellite photos show major port construction along the shore near Gaza City, aid groups are making it clear that they have broad concerns about their safety and reservations about how Israeli forces will handle security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sonali Korde, an official with the U.S. Agency for International Development, said key agreements for security and handling the aid deliveries are still being negotiated. Those include how Israeli forces will operate in Gaza to ensure that aid workers are not harmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to see steps implemented. And the humanitarian community and IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) continue to talk and engage and iterate and improve the system so that everyone feels safe and secure in this very difficult operating environment,\u201d Korde said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said Thursday that U.S. military vessels stationed offshore have begun to construct the temporary pier and causeway at sea. He said the attack at the port \u201cin no way delays\u201d the ongoing mission and said aid deliveries could be up and running by early May.<\/p>\n\n\n\t