WASHINGTON. The U.S. military’s aid pier, designed to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Gaza, has been dismantled due to inclement weather, and officials indicate it may not be reinstalled unless aid distribution resumes. This decision comes amid significant logistical and security challenges, U.S. officials revealed on Friday.
The pier, integral to delivering much-needed food supplies to Gaza, has faced multiple setbacks. Although the structure enabled the transfer of over 19.4 million pounds (8.6 million kilograms) of food, much of it remains in a nearby storage yard, nearly at full capacity. Aid agencies struggle to move these supplies deeper into Gaza due to ongoing attacks on humanitarian convoys.
The United Nations, which plays a critical role in distributing aid, has suspended its operations through the pier since June 9. This pause followed an Israeli military operation near the pier, which involved the extraction of hostages but resulted in over 270 Palestinian casualties. The incident prompted a U.N. security review due to concerns over the safety and neutrality of aid workers.
Steve Taravella, spokesperson for the U.N. World Food Program, confirmed that the U.N.’s participation remains on hold pending a resolution to these security concerns.
Originally intended as a temporary measure, President Joe Biden’s $230 million project has encountered several obstacles since its inception on May 17. Both relief organizations and congressional Republicans have criticized the initiative, labeling it a costly and ineffective solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Unpredictable weather has been a persistent issue, damaging the pier shortly after its initial deployment. Heavy seas once again necessitated the pier’s removal on Friday, with the structure now relocated to the Israeli port of Ashdod for protection.
Unnamed U.S. officials suggested that the pier could be reinstalled once weather conditions improve. However, a final decision has yet to be made. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh stated, “When the commander decides that it is the right time to reinstall that pier, we’ll keep you updated on that.” She also emphasized the need for more aid to arrive in Cyprus for transport to the pier, noting that the onshore storage area is nearly full.
Despite the logistical hurdles, Singh reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to delivering aid to Gaza by any means necessary. “Of course, if there’s not enough room in the marshaling yard, then it doesn’t make sense to put our men or women out there when there’s nothing to do,” she added.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread hunger exacerbated by the prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict, stringent Israeli border controls, and frequent attacks on aid convoys. These factors continue to impede the flow of essential food, medicine, and other supplies to the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
