Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s $320 million initiative to build a temporary pier off the Gaza coast for aid deliveries has suffered a setback after rough sea conditions caused it to become inoperable, leaving the United States military to make repairs. The Pentagon stated on Tuesday that the temporary pier was unable to withstand the high sea states and inclement weather conditions, leading to the decision to take it to a repair shop. The repairs will be conducted by Army engineers, and the pier will be reconstructed in the Israeli community of Ashdod.
Western Journal: American-Built Port for Aid in Gaza Heavily Damaged, Forced to Be Removed as Brutal Conditions Get Worse https://t.co/0rMrZRGzpn
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) May 28, 2024
The project faced challenges even before the pier’s operational issues. Despite initial efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, the pier did not meet U.S. goals for aid delivery, and reports surfaced that some of the aid that was delivered had been looted by Palestinians. Furthermore, a service member involved in the project was seriously injured and remains in critical condition.
Republican Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida voiced his skepticism about the project’s value, expressing concerns about the cost, risk, and diversion of military assets. He argued that the main issue is not getting aid to Gaza but rather ensuring that it reaches the places within Gaza where it is needed, as Hamas controls the distribution of aid within the territory. Waltz also highlighted potential security threats, pointing out that the pier is within reach of potential militant attacks from Gaza.
The setbacks and concerns surrounding the pier project have sparked criticism and raised questions about its effectiveness in delivering aid to Gaza. As the U.S. government works to address the operational challenges and repair the pier, the future of the initiative remains uncertain.
