The US Army announced – today, Friday – the reconstruction of the floating dock designated for bringing aid to the Gaza coast, after it was repaired in the Israeli port of Ashdod after its structure was damaged by weather factors.
The Central Military Command (Centcom) said it had succeeded in returning the temporary dock to Gaza, allowing the continued delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gazans.
She added that in the coming days, she will facilitate the movement of vital food and other emergency supplies.
It is noteworthy that about a thousand tons of humanitarian aid were delivered through the pier since its opening on May 17, but it was damaged as a result of strong waves about a week after the start of deliveries.
Cost of damages
The US Department of Defense revealed the need for costly repairs to the temporary pier after it was damaged.
According to the Washington Post, the cost of necessary repairs is estimated at $22 million, with the possibility of rising to $28 million.
The newspaper revealed that American military teams built the necessary foundations for a similar pier in the Israeli port of Ashdod, an area that provides greater protection from the strong waves that caused serious damage to the temporary facility.
US President Joe Biden announced last March that his country would work to establish the pier to increase the delivery of aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinians say that the purpose of establishing the floating dock is to serve the hidden political interests of Israel and the United States, contrary to what is portrayed by Washington and Tel Aviv as a humanitarian step.
Israel controls and restricts the delivery of aid to Gaza, and closed the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings last month, depriving the residents of the Strip of aid, food, medicine, and fuel, and preventing the injured from leaving for treatment.