Topline
The temporary aid pier constructed by the U.S. military along the Gaza coast may not return to operations following its removal over poor weather conditions, according to the Associated Press, as the $230 million project continues to face drawbacks since its construction in May.
The pier finished construction in mid-May. (Photo by U.S. Central Command via Getty Images)
Key Facts
The aid pier was removed to protect it from inclement weather, which has previously damaged the structure and required week-long repairs, the Associated Press reported.
The U.S. is thinking about permanently removing the pier unless aid starts being delivered to the Gazan population, according to the Associated Press, which cited unnamed U.S. officials and noted most of the food designated for Gaza is still in a near-full, adjacent storage yard.
The pier has been temporarily removed in the past after experiencing damage from high seas that forced repairs to be completed in Israel’s Port of Ashdod.
The pier has been used to transport 13.6 million pounds of food since mid-May, according to U.S. Central Command, which added in a tweet that the food is collected and distributed by humanitarian organizations.
The U.S. military could reinstall the aid pier once weather conditions normalize, though a final decision on its reinstallation has yet to be made, the AP reported.
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Big Number
$320 million. That was the initial estimated cost of the pier project before it was reduced to $230 million. The reduction was achieved through lower-than-estimated expenses for contracted vehicles and drivers, as well as an infrastructure contribution from Britain, The Washington Post reported, citing Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
Key Background
The aid pier has had a rough run since its construction in May, recently suffering $22 million worth of damages that took days to repair. The pier’s mission has also been hindered by humanitarian organizations ceasing their transport of aid into Gaza over convoy attacks. Israeli protesters blocked aid trucks bound for Gaza in May, as Israeli forces were reported to have conducted at least eight strikes on aid workers’ convoys and staging areas since October, according to Human Rights Watch. Israel has denied knowingly striking aid workers and, in one case, claimed an attack that killed seven aid workers in April was the result of two mistakes. The pier was established to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza, a majority of whom were displaced two months after Israel ordered the evacuations of more than 1 million people in Gaza as it intensified its war against Hamas. More than 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war started in October, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
Further Reading
US will remove Gaza aid pier due to weather and may not put it back, officials say (AP)
US Military Says Temporary Gaza Pier Is Ready To Receive Humanitarian Aid (Forbes)
