U.S. Halts Humanitarian Aid To Gaza After Military Pier Breaks Due To Adverse Weather

The US military-built pier meant to transport aid to Palestinians is being temporarily removed for repairs after a portion of the structure broke off, according to a Pentagon statement issued on May 28, 2024.

President Joe Biden announced the floating pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation, in March.

The military is in charge of a temporary humanitarian aid mission.

The pier, which opened on May 17 and has only been operational for two weeks, is already experiencing difficulties.

Due to heavy seas, part of it detached on May 25, 2024.

According to Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, US forces will tow the pier back to the Israeli Coastal City of Ashdod for repairs within 48 hours.

The Central Command expects the procedure to take about a week.

On May 25, three of the pier’s four vessels ran aground during heavy seas, necessitating repairs.

Additionally, harsh sea conditions and a North African weather system caused a portion of the pier to break away from its anchored position.

Singh highlighted the pier’s important role in humanitarian aid distribution during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, stating that the pier proved extremely helpful in supplying aid to the people of Gaza.

Thus, once the pier has been repaired and reassembled, the goal is to re-anchor the temporary pier to Gaza’s coast and continue providing humanitarian supplies to those in need.

Despite the delay, over 1000 metric tonnes of aid have been transported using the dock, relieving needy people.

However, Washington reiterated that there will be no American boots on the ground in Gaza.

Singh reflected on the broader objective, highlighting the significance of delivering aid to those in need and adding that it is essential for the people suffering at the moment, who are in a critical condition, to obtain any assistance they can by any means.

The temporary removal of the supply pier highlights the difficulties of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst continued conflict and severe weather.

Efforts are still being made to quickly restore the pier so that humanitarian delivery can resume and Palestinians affected by the conflict can be relieved of their suffering.

Reference: Reuters, BBC

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Source: Maritime Shipping News