The U.S. Central Command announced on Friday that the temporary pier built by the U.S. military to deliver aid into Gaza has been reconnected to the beach after a section was damaged by storms and rough seas. This repair is expected to resume the flow of humanitarian supplies.
“Earlier this morning in Gaza, U.S. forces successfully attached the temporary pier to the Gaza beach,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, during a phone briefing. He confirmed that the delivery of humanitarian aid from the sea would begin in the coming days.
The causeway, the section connecting the pier to the Gaza beach, was rebuilt nearly two weeks after being damaged. The pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system, was designed to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies such as food to Gaza, bypassing overland routes that have been disrupted by ongoing conflicts.
Cooper detailed plans to ramp up operations, aiming to deliver 500 tons of supplies every two days. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also confirmed close coordination with humanitarian partners to ensure safe and effective resumption of aid movements.
The pier initially became operational on May 17, but heavy seas and strong winds caused significant damage less than two weeks later, halting aid deliveries. The reconstruction effort was supported by Israeli Defense Force engineers, ensuring the safe reattachment of the pier.
The U.S. military reported that one soldier involved in the pier operations was critically injured and is currently receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. The injury occurred on a ship not docked at the pier.
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