The US military has temporarily halted aid shipments to the Gaza Strip via sea routes, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday. This decision comes after severe weather caused damage to the military’s temporary pier.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh informed reporters that high seas, combined with a powerful weather system from North Africa, resulted in a section of the pier breaking away on Tuesday morning, stating:
“The rebuilding and repairing of the pier will take at least over a week, and, following completion, will need to be re-anchored to the coast of Gaza.”
“Thus, upon completion of the pier repair and reassembly, the intention is to re-anchor the temporary pier to the coast of Gaza and resume humanitarian aid to the people who need it most.”
The recent damage to the pier is the latest in a series of setbacks since its opening just two weeks ago. On Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that four US Army vessels, which were providing support to the pier, broke free from their moorings due to heavy seas.
READ ALSO: North Korea Admits Recent Satellite Launch Ended in Mid-Flight Explosion
These vessels subsequently ran aground, with two ending up on the shores of Gaza and the other two washing up on the Israeli coast approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Tel Aviv.
According to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, one of the vessels has already been recovered, and efforts are underway to retrieve the remaining three within the next 48 hours.
This disruption comes as Gaza endures one of the most devastating conflicts in its history. The war erupted following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in a significant loss of life.
The ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, making the suspension of aid deliveries even more critical.