The United States has halted the delivery of US Gaza Aid after the collapse of a $320 million pier due to severe weather conditions, as confirmed by the Pentagon. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh cited adverse weather, including high sea states and a North African weather system, as contributing factors to the pier’s breakdown.
Singh informed reporters that efforts are underway to recover four Army vessels, with one already retrieved and the others expected to be recovered within the next 24 to 48 hours. Once recovered, the damaged pier will be towed to Ashdod for repairs by the Navy, as American personnel are not permitted to enter Gaza.
Despite delivering over 1,000 metric tons of aid in the two weeks of its operation, concerns arose regarding the security of aid distribution in Gaza. Several trucks carrying essential supplies were looted during transfers, resulting in one Palestinian fatality due to gunfire during a hijacking incident. Subsequently, aid deliveries were temporarily suspended to reassess security arrangements.
The controversy surrounding aid deliveries in Israel is exemplified by sentiments expressed at demonstrations against humanitarian aid, with chants of “Don’t feed Hamas” reflecting broader concerns. Additionally, families of hostages seized during Hamas attacks near the Gaza border have called on the government to leverage aid provision for information and access to their loved ones.
The suspension of the US Gaza Aid deliveries follows a deadly series of attacks by Hamas on Israeli communities near the Gaza border, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 individuals and the capture of 252 hostages, with 39 believed to be deceased.