US military Gaza pier knocked out of action by heavy seas

US Gaza Pier Damaged by Heavy Seas

A temporary pier built by the US military to deliver aid to Gaza has been damaged by heavy seas and will take at least a week to be repaired, according to US officials. The pier, which was first announced by US officials in March, is comprised of two main components: a large floating dock made up of steel segments and a two-lane, 1,800ft (548m) causeway and pier. The causeway portion of the project has reportedly broken off and will have to be repaired before being returned to its position [1].

US Military Vessels Run Aground

Last week, four US Army vessels supporting the temporary pier ran aground amid heavy seas. Two vessels are now anchored on the beach near the pier, while the third and fourth vessels are beached on the coast of Israel near Ashkelon. No injuries have been reported, and the pier remains fully functional. The Israeli Navy is assisting with the recovery effort [1].

Impact on Aid Delivery to Gaza

Humanitarian organizations have warned that the amount of aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza is only a fraction of what is required to meet the needs of its population. The US-built pier was intended to alleviate restrictions on land deliveries of humanitarian aid. The first shipments of aid were delivered into Gaza via the pier on May 17. However, in a separate incident last weekend, four vessels supporting the pier became unmoored in heavy sea states, beaching two of them [1].

Repair Efforts and Weather Conditions

The damaged causeway portion of the pier will be removed and taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod for repairs. The repairs are expected to take more than a week. The Pentagon spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, stated that weather conditions in the area had not created an "optimal environment" for the pier's deployment, but defense officials remain confident that it will be operational again soon. Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, acknowledged that weather-related delays were expected but emphasized the importance of the mission to deliver aid to those in need [1].

US Commitment to Aid Delivery

At the White House, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the pier was never expected to replace aid reaching Gaza via land crossings but could serve as a "force multiplier." The Pentagon estimates that more than 1,000 tonnes of aid have been delivered to shore, with just over 900 tonnes reaching UN warehouses. Despite concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his commitment to "total victory" in Rafah, Hamas' last remaining urban stronghold in the south of the strip [1].

Conclusion

The temporary pier built by the US military to deliver aid to Gaza has been damaged by heavy seas. Four US Army vessels supporting the pier ran aground, and repair efforts are underway. The damaged causeway portion of the pier will be removed and repaired before being reattached. The US remains committed to delivering aid to Gaza, but concerns over the humanitarian situation persist [1].