After a section of a U.S. military-built pier in Gaza broke apart due to storms and rough seas, causing a halt in aid delivery, the pier has now been reconnected to the beach in Gaza. The Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, stated that operations at the reconnected pier will be ramped up, with a goal to move 1 million pounds of food and supplies every two days into Gaza. Despite initial struggles to reach delivery goals, lessons learned from the pier’s brief operation before the storm make officials confident that aid can now be effectively moved.
The storm that damaged the causeway on May 25 also resulted in injuries to three service members operating in the area. The U.S. Agency for International Development is working with other U.S. government agencies and humanitarian partners to ensure the safe and effective resumption of aid movement through the pier. The pier had initially served as a crucial alternative route for delivering aid to Gaza as land routes faced challenges due to military operations in the area. The U.S. military also plans to resume airdrops of food in Gaza in the coming days.
After the storm damage, sections of the causeway were moved to an Israeli port for repairs, while Army vessels that went aground during the bad weather were freed. The U.S. military had announced plans to build the pier in March, with an estimated cost of $230 million. Despite the delays in installation, the first trucks carrying aid rolled down the pier on May 17. However, on the following day, aid convoys were overrun by crowds, causing a disruption in aid delivery. Adjustments were made to convoy routes, and aid eventually reached those in need before the causeway broke apart in the storm.
The U.S. military’s efforts to provide aid to Gaza have been a part of the larger Israel-Hamas conflict, aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. President Joe Biden’s administration has emphasized that while the pier is not a total solution, any amount of aid is crucial to help alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. The successful reconnection of the pier to the beach in Gaza marks a significant step towards the resumption of aid deliveries through the maritime route. The U.S. military and its partners are committed to ensuring the continued flow of food and supplies to those in need in Gaza.
As the U.S. military rebuilds and strengthens the pier infrastructure, efforts are also underway to address the challenges faced in aid delivery, including disruptions caused by storms and civilian interference. With the reconnection of the pier and upcoming resumption of aid operations, the focus remains on providing essential assistance to the people of Gaza amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The coordination between U.S. agencies, humanitarian partners, and Israeli authorities is essential to ensure the effective and safe movement of aid through the pier, demonstrating a commitment to supporting those affected by the conflict in the region.
