- US-built pier in Gaza is shutting down after two months
- The pier was built to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza but is no longer essential in the delivery of aid
- The floating pier faced numerous challenges with looting and bad weather affecting the effectiveness
- Whilst it has only been around for two months it did deliver around 20 million pounds of aid
US-built $230 million pier in Gaza is shutting down after two months
The high-profile $230 million pier built by the Biden administration to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza is shutting down after just two months due to it no longer being essential for Gaza’s supply of food, water and other humanitarian aid because of key border crossings that have recently reopened.
“I do anticipate that in relatively short order, we will wind down pier operations,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday.
The floating pier, intended to boost humanitarian aid during the Israel-Hamas war, faced numerous challenges. Initial aid convoys were hijacked, and bad weather frequently disrupted operations, injuring three troops and damaging equipment. Despite these setbacks, Sullivan considered the effort a success, noting it delivered around 20 million pounds of aid.
“I see any result that produces more food, more humanitarian goods getting to the people of Gaza as a success,” he said. “It is additive. It is something additional that would not have gotten there when it got there, and that is a good thing.”
On Wednesday, troops were unable to re-anchor the pier, leading to its relocation to Israel. Air Force Maj. Gen. Ryder confirmed the pier will stay in Israel for now and will soon cease operations.
US-build pier in Gaza – video
Biden's $230 million taxpayer funded pier to aid Gaza will be permanently dismantled after it broke.
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) July 9, 2024
It functioned for 21 days…pic.twitter.com/EdUxAtq7Ya