Tel Aviv, Israel – The U.S. military faced a setback when aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip by sea were suspended due to damage to its temporary pier system, confirmed by the Defense Department on Tuesday. The mishap was caused by bad weather, leading to a halt in the transportation of essential supplies to the region.
Deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh mentioned at a news conference that high sea states resulted in this unfortunate event. Despite the challenges, Army engineers are diligently working towards repairing the pier, with hopes to restore full functionality in just over a week, as stated by Singh. This comes after reports surfaced regarding damage to a causeway attached to the beach in Gaza.
A floating dock was being utilized to unload aid onto the causeway, which is then transported by small boats. Unfortunately, the repair process for the causeway might take up to a week to complete. The temporary pier system, initiated by President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address in March, has faced consecutive setbacks since its recent operationalization.
Following unfavorable weather conditions, four small U.S. military boats involved in aid transportation broke from their moorings over the weekend. Two of these boats ended up near the coast of southern Israel, while the other two washed ashore in Gaza. Tragically, an American service member remains in critical condition after sustaining noncombat injuries on the pier, with two others facing minor injuries.
The pier, referred to as a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability, aimed to increase aid flow into Gaza amidst rising concerns of famine in the region, particularly in the north of the Strip. The recent complications with the causeway and the pier system highlight the challenges in delivering crucial assistance to the people in Gaza, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Issues with the causeway were first brought to light through a video circulating on Israeli social media, depicting a segment of the causeway floating in the Mediterranean. The severity of the situation was emphasized by the footage, with concerns arising about the efficiency of aid delivery mechanisms, especially considering the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Moreover, the delayed aid deliveries come at a time when tensions in the region are escalating, with the International Criminal Court seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s defense minister, and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes, including accusations of starving civilians. As efforts to address these allegations continue, the importance of efficient aid distribution mechanisms, such as the temporary pier system, remains paramount in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza.