Official announces delivery of aid to Gaza from recently repaired US-built pier

The United States military has successfully delivered badly needed aid into Gaza from a newly repaired American-built pier, a U.S. official confirmed on Saturday. The pier, which was only operational for about a week before being damaged in a storm, has now been reconnected to the beach in Gaza after undergoing repairs at an Israeli port.

Crews managed to deliver approximately 1.1 million pounds (492 metric tons) of humanitarian aid to Gaza via the pier on Saturday. This delivery comes at a crucial time as Israel recently mounted a heavy air and ground assault to rescue four hostages taken by Hamas during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The reconnection of the damaged section of the pier brings back a vital route for getting food and emergency supplies to Palestinians who have been trapped by the war between Israel and Hamas. Israeli restrictions on land crossings and the ongoing fighting have severely limited the flow of essential supplies into the territory.

Despite facing challenges such as storm damage and disruptions in aid distribution, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, expressed confidence in the ability to deliver greater amounts of aid through the pier. The U.S. Agency for International Development is working with the U.N. World Food Program and other humanitarian partners to distribute food and emergency supplies to those in need in Gaza.

The U.N. has warned that over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza could face severe starvation if hostilities continue. President Joe Biden’s administration has emphasized the importance of providing aid through the pier, acknowledging that any amount of assistance can make a difference in the lives of those affected by the conflict.