The temporary dock built by the United States to deliver humanitarian aid to starving Palestinians on the coast of the Gaza Strip will be removed for repair after being damaged by poor weather conditions and rough seas. Over the next two days, the pier will be entirely dismantled and transported to the city of Ashdod in southern Israel, where the US Central Command will handle repairs. According to Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, the repairs will take over a week, and the pier will need to be re-anchored on Gaza Beach once fixed.
The dock, part of the limited means for delivering humanitarian aid by sea, has been a crucial channel for food and supplies to the Palestinians amid a near-war state between Israel and Hamas for the past eight months. With the two main border crossings in southern Gaza largely inaccessible due to ongoing conflict, the temporary pier and the border crossings in northern Gaza have been key routes for aid deliveries. However, health sources indicated that aid coming from the north is not reaching the southern parts of the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Despite the essential role it plays, the pier has faced several setbacks. Valued at $320 million, it started operating only two weeks ago and has already seen three US soldiers injured and four boats stranded due to strong waves. Two of the soldiers incurred minor injuries while the third remains in serious condition. Additionally, aid deliveries were disrupted when crowds besieged trucks leaving the dock, resulting in the death of a Palestinian.
The humanitarian aid transport system came to a halt recently due to rough seas unsticking four Army boats that were moving aid from commercial vessels to the dock. Two of these boats stranded on the Israeli coast have been recovered, while the other two remain at Gaza Beach and are expected to be retrieved soon.
The suspension of the dock’s operations follows a brief period of significant aid delivery, with over 1,000 metric tons of food brought to Gaza. However, US officials highlight that even at maximum capacity, the pier cannot meet the colossal needs of about 2.3 million Gazans. The need to open more land checkpoints for humanitarian trucks remains critical.
The situation intensifies as Israel deepens its offensive in Rafah and other regions within Gaza. The continuous military operations have impeded aid shipments and have caused severe casualties. The latest attack on Rafah by the Israeli military involved an airstrike that killed 45 people, causing global outrage and a severe humanitarian crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strikes and called for immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the need for the protection of civilians.
The US remains actively involved in addressing the humanitarian crisis and plans to resume deliveries by airlift, although this method also falls short of meeting all requirements. The ongoing conflict, marked by significant Israeli military actions, including airstrikes and ground troop deployments, further complicates aid distribution. Meanwhile, international diplomatic efforts continue with the UN Security Council holding emergency meetings to address the escalating crisis.
- The deepening crisis in Gaza has captured worldwide attention, with significant discussions among global leaders regarding potential resolutions. Following the recent airstrike in Rafah that led to numerous deaths, the UN Security Council convened to deliberate on the situation.
- The Israeli military operations in Gaza are part of a broader campaign launched in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities and 252 hostages. In retaliation, Israel has continuously targeted Hamas, contributing to the escalating death toll in Gaza.
- Further complicating the humanitarian situation, the blockade and persistent fighting have disrupted supply lines, making it increasingly difficult to deliver crucial aid to those in dire need. The US and international organizations continue to advocate for the opening of more checkpoints to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
