The temporary pier that the U.S. military built in Gaza to rush humanitarian aid is facing potential early dismantling. Aid organizations are saying that the $230 million pier has not been very successful in its mission and will likely stop operations sooner than expected.
Since its installation a month ago, the pier has only been operational for about 10 days. The rest of the time was spent on repairs due to rough seas breaking it apart, being detached to prevent further damage, or halted because of security issues. The original purpose of the pier was to provide a temporary solution while urging Israel to open more land routes for aid delivery, which is a more efficient method.
Even though the pier was meant to address urgent hunger concerns in Gaza, some American military officials believe that it may not meet its limited objectives. Despite recent efforts by Israel to increase access for relief organizations, the situation in Gaza is still dire.
Initially, the Biden administration estimated that the pier would remain operational until September, but now military officials are warning that it could be taken down as early as next month. This deadline is intended to put pressure on Israel to open additional ground routes for aid delivery.
President Biden ordered the construction of the pier in March during a period of intense criticism for not taking stronger action to control Israel’s military response to attacks led by Hamas on October 7.
Efforts are ongoing to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, and the potential dismantling of the pier highlights the challenges in providing effective aid to the region. The situation underscores the importance of finding long-term solutions to ensure that aid reaches those in need efficiently and sustainably.