Four US military boats used as a temporary aid jetty for Gaza ran aground Saturday morning due to rough seas, US Middle East Command (Centcom) confirmed. The ships detached themselves from their moorings, resulting in two boats now being moored on the beach near the pontoon, and the other two stranded on the Israeli coast near Ashkelon. Centcom assured that no soldiers were injured and emphasized that the pontoon remains fully functional. The Israeli army is currently assisting the Americans in refloating the ships and reiterated that no American military personnel would enter Gaza.
The United States completed the pier last week, an initiative announced in March by President Joe Biden. The construction aimed to alleviate the restrictions imposed by Israel on the land delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by seven months of conflict following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Last Friday, the UN noted the facility enabled the disembarkation of 97 trucks of humanitarian aid within one week's time. Despite this development, both the UN and humanitarian organizations caution that the artificial port, which cost at least $320 million, cannot replace the influx of aid by land.
According to the United Nations, nearly all of the Gaza Strip's 2.4 million residents have been displaced by ongoing fighting and bombardment. The majority are food insecure and face the risk of large-scale famine, highlighting the urgent need for sustained humanitarian efforts.
- The construction of the artificial port is part of broader international efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been intensifying since the conflict began. The initiative also serves as a statement of support and commitment to the people affected by the conflict.
- Official sources continuously emphasize the importance of ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Gaza through various channels, reaffirming that such operations hold a crucial place in international diplomacy and local stability.
