US MILITARY ENDS FLOATING PIER AID MISSION TO GAZA STRIP

Wed 17 July 2024:

The US military announced on Wednesday the conclusion of a floating pier mission that had been delivering aid to the Gaza Strip.

“The maritime surge mission involving the pier is complete. So, there’s no more need to use the pier,” stated Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Deputy Commander of Central Command Navy, during an online briefing.

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The mission will now shift from the temporary pier in Gaza to a port in Ashdod, Israel. “In the past few weeks, we’ve begun utilizing this new hybrid pathway from the sea and land to deliver aid from Cyprus to the port of Ashdod, Israel, then into North Gaza via the UN and WFP (World Food Program),” Cooper added.

In the coming weeks, millions of pounds of aid are expected to enter Gaza through this new route.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon revealed that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, that the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) temporary pier would soon cease operations. Austin emphasized the need to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance through all land crossings and support aid deliveries to Ashdod Port for distribution in Gaza.

The $230 million pier, intended to enhance humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, has paused operations multiple times due to bad weather and mechanical issues.

US President Joe Biden initiated the sea route for aid delivery on March 8, in response to Israeli restrictions and ongoing conflict in the region. Despite setbacks, Biden expressed hope for future success during a NATO summit, stating he was “disappointed” by the challenges but “hopeful that would be more successful.”

The pier, currently located at Ashdod port, has operated for about 20 days since its installation in May.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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