US pier off Gaza collapses | Nation & World News

The US military’s efforts to create a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid into Gaza suffered a major setback as the temporary pier constructed for this purpose broke apart and sustained damage in heavy seas. The Pentagon confirmed that the pier will need to be removed from its location on the Gaza coast for repairs, delaying the operation further.

The pier, which cost $320 million, had only been operational for a week before heavy seas caused it to stop maritime shipments. The damage occurred just two days after part of the pier disconnected, making it unusable until repairs are completed.

US Central Command stated that the temporary pier, known as the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), requires very good sea conditions to operate safely. The system had already faced delays due to unfavorable weather conditions, and now shipments through the maritime corridor are paused until the pier is back in operation.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper reported that over 1,000 metric tons of aid had been delivered through the pier before it had to halt operations. However, with the temporary pier inoperable, thousands of tons of aid waiting in Cyprus are now on hold.

The US has emphasized that the temporary pier is meant to supplement humanitarian shipments through land crossings between Israel and Gaza. The setback highlights the challenges of providing aid in conflict zones and the importance of reliable infrastructure for humanitarian operations.