Gaza’s $320 million US-funded pier collapses shortly after supplies start arriving

The temporary pier built off the coast of Gaza by the US military to transport aid into the war-torn region has suffered significant damage due to heavy seas, breaking apart just days after it was put into operation.

According to a Pentagon spokesperson, the pier will now be moved to Ashdod, a port in Israel, for repairs that are expected to take more than a week to complete. The damage was first reported by NBC News.

The pier, known as the Trident Pier, consists of a narrow causeway for aid transportation and a broader area for storing supplies brought in by ship. Officials reported that the pier disconnected on Sunday, just a week after it began operations. The broader parking area must be reconnected to the causeway before the pier can be used again.

The cost of the pier was $320 million, and it started operating on May 17. However, heavy seas forced a temporary stoppage just a week later, leading to the pier breaking apart two days after that.

Despite the setback, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted that a significant amount of humanitarian aid has already been delivered to the north of Gaza, thanks to the US intervention. However, challenges remain in delivering aid to the southern part of Gaza due to various factors, including the closure of the Rafah gate and ongoing military operations in the area.

The temporary pier is located just north of Rafah in southern Gaza, and efforts are underway to resume aid delivery as soon as possible.