The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Thursday that operations at the Gaza pier for humanitarian aid will soon come to an end. The decision follows a failed attempt on Wednesday to reconnect the pier to the shoreline. The pier has faced numerous technical challenges and damage due to rough seas.
This development marks a significant shift in the U.S. military’s efforts to provide aid to Gaza through this temporary structure.
In a statement, Defense Department spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed the cessation of the pier’s operations, with more details expected to be released soon.
The statement highlighted that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) personnel tried to re-anchor the pier to continue delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians but were thwarted by technical and weather-related issues. This attempt was part of the mission to provide critical supplies to Gaza.
U.S. Defense Department Ends Gaza Pier Operations Due to Technical Challenges
Since its construction, the U.S. military’s Gaza pier has delivered nearly 20 million pounds of humanitarian supplies collected by various organizations. According to the Department of Defense, this represents the largest amount of aid transported by the U.S. military over a three-month period and is the most extensive humanitarian response in the Middle East to date.
The pier was always intended to be a temporary solution, and its operations will soon be halted, with support vessels and equipment returning to Ashdod, Israel.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan indicated that the wind-down of pier operations is imminent. It remains uncertain whether there will be another attempt to re-anchor the pier before fully ceasing its activities.
The pier has been beset by problems since it began operations on May 17, experiencing its first major technical and weather-related issues on May 25. Despite several repair and relocation efforts, the pier continued to face challenges.
The $230 million pier underwent multiple repairs and relocations, including significant efforts on June 7, June 14, and June 21. On June 27, the inspectors general for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development announced a joint review of the Gaza maritime aid delivery via the pier.
This review aims to assess the effectiveness and challenges of the humanitarian aid operations conducted through this temporary infrastructure.
