U.S. Completes Construction of Gaza Aid Pier, But Weather Prevents Installation Introduction The U.S. military has successfully completed the construction of a new Gaza aid pier aimed at boosting deliveries of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the region. However, unfavorable weather conditions have temporarily delayed the installation of the two-part structure, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday. The pier, which will cost at least $320 million, was built in response to the humanitarian crisis following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the terrorist group’s October 7 attack. The project reflects a concerted effort by the U.S. and international partners to ensure the effective delivery of aid to Gaza amid devastating destruction and widespread shortages. Overview of the Aid Pier Construction Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided further details in a press briefing on Tuesday, explaining the progress and current status of the pier. “As of today, the construction of the two portions of the JLOTS — the floating pier and the Trident pier — are complete and awaiting final movement offshore,” Singh said, using the acronym for Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, the official name for the pier's capability. However, Singh noted that current weather conditions have made it unsafe to move the components of the pier into place. “Today, there are still forecasted high winds and high sea swells, which are causing unsafe conditions for the JLOTS components to be moved. So, the pier sections and military vessels involved in its construction are still positioned at the port of Ashdod,” she added. The adverse weather conditions led to a temporary relocation of the vessels and the under-construction pier to Ashdod, where they will remain until it is safe to proceed with the final movement offshore. Once the weather clears, U.S. Central Command, in collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), will move the pier into its final position off the Gaza shore. Operational Readiness and Installation Plans Despite the delays, U.S. Central Command remains on standby to move the pier to its final position near the Gaza coast. Singh emphasized that the pier sections will be anchored to the Gaza shore by Israeli soldiers to ensure no American boots are on the ground. This careful arrangement aims to address security concerns while facilitating aid delivery in a region fraught with tension. Once in place, aid will be transported via commercial vessels to a floating platform offshore, where it will be transferred to smaller vessels and brought to the pier anchored to the shore. Trucks will then transport the aid inland for distribution, allowing for a steady flow of much-needed supplies. The pier's design includes two main components: 1. Floating Pier: Allows for seamless transfer of aid from larger commercial vessels to smaller boats. 2. Trident Pier: Anchored to the shore to facilitate aid transportation by trucks to distribution centers. The aid pier is expected to accommodate around 100 trucks per day, significantly enhancing aid deliveries to Gaza. Background and Strategic Importance Plans for the pier were first announced by U.S. President Joe Biden in early March, as he pressed Israel to ramp up the amount of aid entering Gaza. The installation of the pier is intended to facilitate humanitarian assistance and support reconstruction efforts in the conflict-stricken region. Amid international pressure to increase the flow of aid, Israel recently reopened the Erez Crossing, which had been largely destroyed during the October 7 attack. The Kerem Shalom crossing, a critical aid entry point, was temporarily closed after Hamas fired rockets at it, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers. The U.S. government has assured that Israel will reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing. In addition to the crossings, the Gaza aid pier represents a crucial alternative for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It aims to circumvent challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and provide a secure, efficient pathway for aid to reach the most vulnerable communities. Strategic Position of Rafah and Other Crossings The White House described the closure of Rafah and Kerem Shalom as “unacceptable” and emphasized the importance of reversing the decision. On Tuesday morning, the IDF took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as part of a “pinpoint operation” aimed at preventing Hamas from using the crossing for terrorist purposes. The U.S. government stressed that the opening of the Gaza aid pier does not replace the need for crossings like Kerem Shalom and Rafah to remain operational. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated that “no one should think that the completion of this pier and the opening of that route is in any way a replacement for Kerem Shalom and Rafah being open.” “Getting that pier finished is not a ...
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