The U.S. military has concluded its mission to operate a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza, which was aimed at facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. Despite initial intentions, the operation was fraught with challenges from the outset. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper of the U.S. Central Command confirmed that the pier was operational for just over 20 days and managed to deliver £19.4 million of humanitarian aid. However, the pier faced repeated disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, leading to frequent repairs and reattachments.
The temporary dock, known as Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS), was initially announced by President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address in March. The dock's purpose was to significantly increase the volume of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, a region severely impacted by ongoing conflict. However, the pier's effectiveness was limited, and it was only operational for brief periods before being damaged by high waves and storms. The cost of the dock was $230 million, and it was intended to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has been exacerbated by the war between Hamas and Israel.
In addition to weather-related issues, the aid delivered through the pier began to accumulate on the beach as the World Food Program (WFP) suspended its distribution for security reasons. By early July, the WFP had reached an agreement with commercial contractors to move all humanitarian aid unloaded from the temporary dock into warehouses to prevent it from being wasted or spoiled. This marked the end of the dock's use for aid distribution.
The U.S. military will now focus on transporting aid from Cyprus directly through the Israeli port of Ashdod, which is considered a more sustainable route. The aid will then be trucked through the Erez border crossing into Gaza. Despite the logistical challenges, over a million pounds of aid have been delivered through the port of Ashdod in recent weeks. The U.S. military will continue to assist in transporting the remaining aid from Cyprus to Ashdod.
The mission also saw injuries among U.S. service members, with three personnel hurt during the operation. While two of them sustained minor injuries and returned to duty the same day, the third service member was critically injured and flown back to the United States for treatment. The service member is no longer in critical condition but remains hospitalized.
The decision to end the pier operation was communicated by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant. The focus will now be on increasing the flow of humanitarian aid through all land crossings and supporting the delivery of aid to the port of Ashdod for distribution in Gaza. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also confirmed plans to completely remove the pier, stating that it is no longer needed for aid delivery.
- The temporary pier, despite its high cost and initial promise, faced numerous operational challenges that hindered its effectiveness in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The adverse weather conditions in the region played a significant role in the repeated breakdowns and reattachments of the dock.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel resulting in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. The U.S. military's efforts to provide aid through the temporary pier were part of a broader initiative to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's civilian population.
- The transition to using the Israeli port of Ashdod for aid delivery is seen as a more sustainable and reliable method. The aid transported through Ashdod will be trucked to Gaza through the Erez border crossing, ensuring that humanitarian assistance continues to reach those in need.
- The injuries sustained by U.S. service members during the mission highlight the risks and challenges faced by military personnel involved in humanitarian operations. The critically injured service member's recovery is a reminder of the personal sacrifices made by those serving in such missions.
