U.S. Military Reconstructs Gaza Aid Pier after Storm Damage, Resumes Aid Delivery

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command announces successful reconnection of the U.S. military-built Gaza humanitarian pier to the beach after storm damage, paving the way for aid delivery to resume.

The U.S. military-built pier designed to carry humanitarian aid into Gaza by boat has successfully been reattached to the beach in the besieged territory, the U.S. Central Command announced Friday. This marks a significant milestone after the pier was broken apart in storms, abruptly halting the already troubled delivery route.

"Earlier this morning in Gaza, U.S. forces successfully attached the temporary pier to the Gaza beach," Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters. "We expect to resume delivery of humanitarian assistance from the sea in the coming days."

Cooper stated that operations at the reconnected pier will be ramped up with a goal of moving 1 million pounds of food and other supplies through the pier into Gaza every two days. U.S. military members and Israel Defense Forces are collaborating to facilitate this process.

A large section of the pier's causeway broke apart on May 25 due to heavy winds and high seas, causing four Army vessels operating there to go aground and injuring three service members, one of whom remains in critical condition.

Before the storm damage, the delivery of sections of the pier and U.S. military personnel from Virginia to the region had been slowed by bad weather. Moreover, initial efforts to transport aid from the pier into Gaza were disrupted when residents stormed the trucks used by aid agencies.

The maritime route has provided an additional means of delivering aid to Gaza, as the Israeli offensive in Rafah has made it challenging to transport supplies through land routes. President Joe Biden's administration emphasized that the pier is not intended as a comprehensive solution but rather as a supplement to existing aid efforts.

Following the storm damage, large sections of the causeway were disconnected and transported to the Israeli port for repairs. Two of the U.S. Army boats that went aground near Ashkelon in Israel have been freed, while the other two remain beached on the Gaza shoreline, undergoing repairs with assistance from the Israeli Navy.

Biden had announced the plan to build the pier during his State of the Union address in March, with an initial estimated cost of $320 million. However, the cost has been reduced to $230 million due to contributions from Britain and lower-than-expected expenses for trucks and equipment.

The installation process took slightly longer than the anticipated two months, with aid-carrying trucks rolling onto the pier on May 17. However, a day later, a crowd intercepted a convoy of trucks, taking supplies from 11 of the 16 vehicles before they could reach a U.N. warehouse.

Subsequently, officials altered the travel routes of the convoys, enabling aid to reach people in need. Over 1,100 tons (1,000 metric tons) of aid were delivered before the storm damaged the causeway.

The reconnection of the pier and resumption of aid delivery provide a lifeline for the besieged population of Gaza. It is a testament to the continued efforts and collaboration between the U.S. military, U.S. government, and international partners to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.