The US Military Completes Construction of Gaza Aid Pier
The US military has recently completed the construction of its Gaza aid pier, a two-part facility aimed at boosting deliveries of humanitarian assistance to the war-torn region. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions, the movement of the pier into place has been delayed.
Construction of the pier, which began last month and is estimated to cost at least $320 million, is part of an effort to provide much-needed aid to Gaza, which has been severely impacted by seven months of Israeli operations against Hamas. The pier consists of two portions – the floating pier and the Trident pier – both of which have been completed and are currently awaiting final movement offshore.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh explained that high winds and sea swells have made it unsafe to move the pier components into position. As a result, the pier sections and military vessels involved in its construction remain at the port of Ashdod in Israel. However, US Central Command (CENTCOM) is prepared to move the pier into place as soon as weather conditions improve.
Once the weather clears, the pier will be anchored to the Gaza shore by Israeli soldiers, allowing for the safe transfer of aid via commercial vessels to a floating platform off the Gaza coast. From there, the aid will be transferred to smaller vessels, brought to the pier, and then transported by truck for distribution on land.
The decision to construct the Gaza aid pier was announced by US President Joe Biden in early March in response to delays in ground deliveries of assistance to Gaza. US Army troops and vessels were subsequently dispatched to the Mediterranean to begin construction on the pier.
Despite these efforts, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The United Nations reported that Israel has denied access to the Rafah crossing, a crucial entry point for aid into the besieged territory. The White House has condemned this action as “unacceptable” and called for the reopening of key crossings like Karem Shalom.
In addition to establishing a maritime corridor for aid shipments, the United States has also been delivering assistance via air drops. CENTCOM announced that American C-130 cargo planes recently dropped over 25,000 Meal Ready To Eat military rations into Gaza, along with more than 13,000 meals of Jordanian food supplies. In total, the US has delivered 1,200 tons of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The recent escalation began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October, leading to the deaths of over 1,170 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has claimed the lives of at least 34,789 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children.
As efforts continue to provide aid and support to Gaza, the completion of the Gaza aid pier represents a significant step towards addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of the region. Once operational, the pier will play a crucial role in facilitating the delivery of essential supplies to those affected by the conflict.