US Military’s Temporary Pier in Gaza Sustains Damage in Heavy Seas

The US Military’s Temporary Pier in Gaza Sustains Damage in Heavy Seas

In a significant setback to the American-led effort to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, the temporary pier constructed by the US military has suffered damage in heavy seas. The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that the pier, which was crucial for transporting aid into the war-torn enclave, will need to be removed for repairs.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh stated that sections of the pier require rebuilding and repairing, and the repairs will be conducted at the Israeli port of Ashdod by US Central Command. The damage occurred after heavy seas caused two small US Army vessels to beach in Israel, while two other vessels broke free of their moorings and were anchored near the pier.

The temporary pier, known as the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), had just started operating on May 17 before heavy seas forced a halt to maritime shipments on May 24. The system can only handle 3-foot waves and winds less than 15 miles per hour, making it vulnerable to rough sea conditions.

Despite the setback, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, reported that over 1,000 metric tons of aid had been delivered through the pier to Gaza before operations were suspended. However, with the pier now inoperable, thousands of tons of aid waiting in Cyprus are on hold.

The US had intended for the temporary pier to supplement humanitarian shipments through land crossings between Israel and Gaza. The delay in repairs and resuming operations at the pier will further impede efforts to provide essential aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.