US Army officials said that “non-combat” injuries sustained 3 American soldiers during the process of constructing and operating the naval pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip, one of whom is in critical condition and being treated in an Israeli hospital, at a time when security concerns dominate Washington regarding its 1,000 soldiers there.
Brad Cooper, deputy commander of the US Central Command (Centcom), who holds the rank of vice admiral, said yesterday evening that two soldiers suffered “very minor” injuries and said, “They have returned to duty.”
Cooper added that a third soldier “was injured on a ship at sea and was medically evacuated to a hospital in Israel.” But another Pentagon official, who declined to be named, said that the third soldier was “in critical condition.”
Cooper or the US Department of Defense did not provide any details regarding the circumstances of the three soldiers’ injuries, especially since they were the first injuries reported to American soldiers during the recent operation to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
Israeli Army Radio preceded the Pentagon and announced earlier yesterday that “two American soldiers were injured in a work accident in the area of the floating dock off the Gaza Strip,” noting that they were transferred to Israel for treatment.
The Pentagon confirmed that it will give priority to the safety of American military personnel, and Cooper said, “We are attentive and continue to strive to protect the force all day and every day, and as is the case now. Our estimates indicate that operations can continue.”
Air defense system
Pictures on social media showed an American air defense system firing into the air while on the sidewalk. US officials said the forces were testing the system.
American lawmakers have previously expressed concern about the risks that might be involved in sending American forces off the coast of Gaza. US President Joe Biden said, “They will not set foot in the war-torn city.”
It is noteworthy that Biden announced the pier last March, which includes the army assembling the floating structure off the coast. It is expected to cost $320 million during the first 90 days, with the participation of about a thousand American soldiers, and it began operating last week.
Daniel Dickhouse of the US Agency for International Development said that since the opening of the dock last week, about 506 tons of aid have been delivered to humanitarian organizations inside Gaza. He added that about a third of this quantity has not yet been distributed, but it will be done soon.
The floating port, also called the pier, raises a lot of controversy about its feasibility and goals, and the residents of Gaza received news of the pier with feelings between hope and skepticism.