The U.S. military has suspended its aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip by sea after severe weather damaged a temporary pier system valued at $320 million. The Defense Department confirmed on Tuesday that the U.S.-built pier, which had been operational for less than two weeks, was damaged by high sea states and will need to be repaired.
Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh explained that the pier was severely impacted by rough seas, causing sections of the structure to break apart. The pier will be removed and transported to the Israeli port of Ashdod for repairs, which are expected to take more than a week. Singh expressed hope that the pier would be fully operational shortly after the repairs are completed.
U.S. Defense Officials revealed today that after a Severe Storm this Weekend off the Coast of the Gaza Strip; a Large Section of the U.S. Army’s Temporary-Floating Pier has “Broken Away” and Drifted down the Coast, with other Sections of the Pier having Partially Sunk in Shallow… pic.twitter.com/lFlLec3NY5
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 28, 2024
The temporary pier, designed to facilitate aid deliveries into Gaza, has faced numerous challenges since it began operations. The system, known as the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), requires calm sea conditions to function effectively. The heavy seas not only damaged the pier but also forced two small U.S. Army vessels to beach in Israel, while another two broke free and were anchored near the pier.
Singh noted that despite the setbacks, the pier had been working effectively until the bad weather struck. However, the damage has halted a critical lifeline for humanitarian supplies. The Pentagon stated that the pier’s repairs would involve reconnecting the parking area to the causeway before it can be used again.
The incident has further complicated the already challenging situation in Gaza, where land crossings from Egypt and Israel are either closed or largely inaccessible due to ongoing fighting. The temporary pier had only recently started operations and was expected to deliver up to 150 truckloads of aid daily. However, the recent damage has delayed this effort significantly.
In addition to the damaged pier, the bad weather also resulted in non-combat injuries to three U.S. service members, one of whom remains in critical condition.
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