US military constructs Gaza pier costing $320 million

The United States Central Command has unveiled images of a floating pier currently being constructed by the US military off the coast of Gaza. This structure is intended to facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to the beleaguered population of Gaza, who are facing severe shortages of food and other necessities.

The construction of this temporary dock, which began last week at sea, was captured in photographs showing military personnel from various vessels engaged in building the platform. Additionally, a satellite image provided by Planet Labs offers a view of the pier in its developmental stage.

On Monday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh reported that the project is estimated to cost approximately $320 million. This figure encompasses all initial construction expenses for the pier, known as the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) system. Singh noted that operational costs are expected to increase over the coming months.

A high-ranking military official indicated last week that the US is poised to start transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza via the sea in early May. The operations will commence with deliveries equivalent to 90 truckloads of aid per day, with plans to expand to 150 truckloads daily once the pier is fully operational.

The mission, set to extend over several months, will be executed without deploying US military personnel on the ground in Gaza, adhering to a directive from President Joe Biden. Instead, the Israel Defense Forces will collaborate with the US military from the outset to secure the pier to Gaza’s shore.

Officials have previously informed CNN that the US military plans to manage the pier for at least the next three months. The long-term objective is to transform this temporary setup into a permanent commercial facility that can be utilized by other nations and non-governmental organizations.

In related efforts, the British Navy support vessel RFA Cardigan Bay left Cyprus to aid in the construction of the pier, as stated by the Royal Navy last Saturday. This ship will provide accommodations for the hundreds of US military personnel involved in establishing the pier.

Once operational, the World Food Programme (WFP) will oversee the distribution of aid from the pier, with USAID coordinating with the United Nations to manage the aid distribution in Gaza, as announced by the organization last Saturday.