The US military’s efforts to deliver aid to Gaza have hit a roadblock as a temporary pier built by US forces has been damaged by heavy seas, requiring at least a week for repairs, according to US officials.
The floating pier, which is connected to Gaza’s shoreline by a temporary causeway, was constructed over several weeks by US forces. However, the causeway portion of the project has broken off, necessitating repairs before it can be returned to its position.
Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the limited amount of aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for more assistance to meet the population’s needs.
The pier, announced by US officials in March, consists of a large floating dock made of steel segments and a two-lane, 1,800ft causeway and pier. The causeway, made up of interconnected steel pieces, broke away in heavy seas, prompting the need for repairs.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed that the damaged portion of the causeway will be removed and taken to the Israeli port of Ashod for repairs with the assistance of the Israeli navy. The repairs are expected to take more than a week to complete.
Despite the setback, defense officials remain optimistic that the pier will be operational again soon, emphasizing the importance of the aid delivery mission for the people in Gaza.
The US military had previously confirmed the delivery of humanitarian aid through the pier, but faced challenges when four vessels supporting the pier became unmoored in heavy sea conditions, leading to two of them beaching.
In a separate incident, three US soldiers participating in the Gaza pier mission were injured, with one in critical condition and evacuated to a hospital in Israel.
The UN World Food Programme reported transporting 137 lorries of aid, approximately 900 metric tonnes, from the pier since it began operating.
While concerns mount over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to achieving “total victory” in Rafah, Hamas’ last urban stronghold in the south of the strip.
The ongoing military campaign in Gaza was sparked by an attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen, resulting in casualties and hostages. The conflict has claimed the lives of over 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/StockTradingSettlements-final-61c8bcdd161a41c68a7bd0a9bbf6dd12.png?w=1068&resize=1068,0&ssl=1 "Implications of a Shorter Stock Trade Settlement Cycle (T+1) for Investors")
