Newly Repaired American-Built Pier Delivers Badly Needed Aid into Gaza, U.S. Central Command Announces

Following a series of setbacks, a newly repaired American-built pier in Gaza successfully delivered about 1.1 million pounds of aid on Saturday, according to U.S. Central Command. The pier, which had been out of operation for a period due to damages, has now facilitated a total of 3.5 million pounds of aid since its initial opening in mid-May.

The pier, constructed by the American military to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, sustained severe damage from high winds and heavy seas on May 25. After undergoing repairs at an Israeli port, the damaged section was reconnected to the beach in Gaza on Friday, enabling the resumption of aid operations.

Israel's Assault and Rescue Operation

On the same day as the aid delivery, Israel launched a significant air and ground assault on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, resulting in the rescue of four hostages who had been held by Hamas since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7. The Hamas-run government media office reported that at least 210 Palestinians were killed and over 400 were injured during the raid.

Contrary to speculation, two U.S. officials confirmed that the U.S. pier was not utilized in the IDF operation to rescue hostages. They clarified that the operation was carried out independently, south of the pier facility, and emphasized that the primary purpose of the pier is to facilitate the timely delivery of essential aid to Gaza.

The repair of the pier restores a crucial channel for providing vital food and emergency supplies to Palestinians affected by the prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli restrictions on land crossings, coupled with ongoing hostilities, have severely impeded the flow of essential supplies into the region.

Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Efforts to transport aid from the pier to the Gaza Strip initially encountered disruptions as crowds overtook the aid convoy, leading to the pilfering of significant cargo. However, subsequent adjustments in travel routes facilitated the successful delivery of aid to those in need. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper expressed confidence in the improved operational efficiency and affirmed the objective of conveying 1 million pounds of aid every two days into Gaza.

International Aid Initiatives

The U.S. Agency for International Development, in collaboration with the U.N. World Food Program and other humanitarian partners, is actively engaged in distributing food, high-nutrition emergency treatment for malnourished children, and additional aid via the maritime route. Notably, relief agencies continue to urge Israel to reopen crucial land routes for the comprehensive transport of essential aid to Gaza.

President Biden's administration had outlined the construction of the pier as a pivotal step in addressing the humanitarian crisis. Originally projected to cost $320 million, the price was revised to $230 million, attributing the reduction to contributions from Britain and lower-than-anticipated expenses for contracting trucks and equipment.

Amidst escalating hostilities, U.N. agencies have cautioned that over one million Palestinians in Gaza could face acute starvation by the middle of the following month if the current situation persists. The pivotal role of the U.S. pier in mitigating this crisis underscores the significance of sustained aid efforts and international collaboration.