ALBAWABA - The US Military announced concluding the mission of installing and operating a temporary, floating humanitarian pier off the coast of Gaza.
Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) held a news briefing announcing the news. "The maritime surge mission involving the pier is complete. So there's no more need to use the pier," Vice Admiral Cooper stated.
"Our assessment is that the temporary pier has achieved its intended effect to surge a very high volume of aid into Gaza and ensure that aid reaches the civilians in Gaza in a quick manner," he added.
Cooper added that a port in Ashdod will be established to resume efforts to distribute aid. At least 5 million pounds of aid, which are either in Cyprus or on ships, will be going to Ashdod in the coming days, he said.
According to US Central Command, the system provided more than $20 million in relief to Gaza. However, the pier was forced to close multiple times because it broke down and required repairs.
The pier was only open for less than 25 days in total, with assistance groups using it for half of that period.
Gaza Temporary Floating Pier
The pier cost the US government approximately $320 million. During a press conference, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that "the construction of the two portions of the JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore) — the floating pier and the Trident pier — are complete and awaiting final movement offshore,".
Israeli soldiers were in charge of security on the shore. Still, two US Navy warships, the USS Arleigh Burke and the USS Paul Ignatius, were stationed nearby in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Both ships are destroyers, outfitted with a variety of armaments and capabilities to protect American troops offshore and friends on the beach.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 38,794+ people, with more than 89,166+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
