Aid has been successfully delivered into Gaza from a newly repaired American-built pier, after experiencing problems in the past. The pier, constructed by the American military, was damaged quickly after its opening but has now been repaired and is operational again. About 1.1 million pounds of aid were delivered on Saturday, totaling 3.5 million pounds since the pier’s mid-May opening. This aid delivery comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Israel launching a heavy air and ground assault on the Nuseirat camp, resulting in casualties.
Video footage shows an Israel Defense Forces helicopter near the U.S. pier, although U.S. officials clarified that the pier was not used in the operation to rescue hostages from Gaza. The repair of the pier has allowed for the transportation of essential supplies to Palestinians affected by the war, as land crossings and ongoing fighting have limited access to food and other vital resources. The project faced setbacks, including injuries to U.S. service members and beached vessels, but efforts have been made to adjust aid transport routes to ensure delivery.
U.S. Central Command stated that the repaired pier and its assets were not involved in the hostage rescue operation in Gaza. The goal remains to increase aid delivery through the pier, aiming for 1 million pounds of supplies every two days. The U.S. Agency for International Development is collaborating with the U.N. World Food Program to distribute aid to Gaza via the sea route. Despite efforts to provide aid through the pier, relief agencies continue to advocate for the reopening of land routes by Israel to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
President Biden’s administration had announced plans for the U.S. military to build the pier during the State of the Union address, with the expectation of faster aid delivery to Gaza. The initial cost estimate was $320 million, but contributions from Britain and cost savings in truck contracting reduced the price to $230 million. The U.N. agencies warn of a potential increase in starvation among over one million Palestinians in Gaza if the conflict persists. While the pier serves as a critical aid channel, additional efforts are needed to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
