Expectations of poor sea conditions and high waves have prompted the United States to temporarily move the pier, which was constructed to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, from its current location.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the pier will be relocated to the port of Ashdod in southern Israel, a distance of 30 kilometers. CENTCOM stated in a tweet on the social media platform X: “Ensuring the safety of our personnel is our top priority. Temporarily moving the pier will prevent structural damage that could result from turbulent sea conditions.”
CENTCOM explained that the decision to temporarily move the pier is essential to ensure its continued use for delivering aid in the future. The Central Command indicated that the pier will be returned to its location off the coast of Gaza when weather conditions permit.
CENTCOM noted: “Since May 17, over 3,500 metric tons of aid have been delivered through this maritime corridor by humanitarian organizations.”
The pier had been damaged by poor weather conditions in May, shortly after its completion, with high waves causing four military ships in the area to break free from their moorings.
The United States constructed a temporary maritime pier off the coast of Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid amidst ongoing conflict in the region. This project, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation, aimed to provide a maritime route for aid delivery due to the severe restrictions and logistical challenges faced by land routes.
The pier was designed to support the transport of large quantities of humanitarian supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, which are critically needed in Gaza. The project was initiated following a directive from President Joe Biden, responding to the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023.
Since its completion, the pier has faced significant challenges. Rough seas and adverse weather conditions caused parts of the pier to break apart, leading to temporary suspension of operations. This resulted in the stranding of U.S. military personnel on tender vessels that ran aground on Gaza and Israeli beaches. Repairs and relocation of the pier to Ashdod, Israel, are currently underway to prevent further damage and to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite these setbacks, the pier has been instrumental in delivering over 3,500 metric tons of humanitarian aid since its operational start in mid-May 2024. The aid is coordinated by the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations, which manage the distribution once the supplies reach Gaza.
The U.S. military, along with Israeli forces, has established security measures to protect the pier and ensure the safety of personnel involved in the aid operations.
