The temporary offshore pier designed to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza is being dismantled again due to rough seas, just a week after it reopened following repairs. The U.S.-built pier was removed from Gaza’s coast and towed back to Ashdod, Israel, to prevent damage. The pier will be re-anchored once water conditions are calm, but there is no estimate on when that will be. The decision to relocate the pier temporarily was made to ensure it can continue to deliver aid in the future.
The pier, with an estimated construction cost of $320 million, was preassembled at the port of Ashdod and first installed on May 17 off the coast of Gaza. However, heavy seas caused it to break apart after only a week of operation. Following repairs, the pier reopened on June 8 before being shut down again on Friday. Since installation, about 7.7 million pounds of aid have been delivered to Gaza via the pier, with plans to ramp up delivery to 90-150 trucks per day at full capacity. President Biden announced the maritime aid corridor during his State of the Union address in March, emphasizing that no U.S. troops will set foot in Gaza.
In response to attacks on aid convoys in the occupied West Bank intended to prevent aid deliveries to Gaza, the State Department sanctioned an Israeli extremist group known as Tsav 9. The group’s actions have hindered efforts to provide much-needed humanitarian aid to the region. It is concerning that even amidst efforts to support the people of Gaza, there are still obstacles and challenges preventing aid from reaching those who need it the most. The temporary disassembly of the pier due to rough seas adds to these challenges, but efforts are being made to re-anchor it once conditions improve.
Despite setbacks and challenges, the U.S. government remains committed to delivering aid to Gaza through the maritime aid corridor. With no U.S. troops on the ground, the operation relies on the temporary offshore pier to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. It is essential to ensure that the pier can continue to function effectively and deliver aid to those in need. The ongoing efforts to navigate logistical and operational challenges demonstrate the commitment to supporting the people of Gaza amidst ongoing conflict and instability in the region.
