US pier in Gaza under fire for ineffectiveness as civilians starve
3 Min Read
The temporary pier built reportedly for humanitarian purposes by the United States in Gaza is getting criticized for ineffectiveness as civilians continue to starve in the war-torn strip.
-
A US Army landing craft is seen beached in Ashdod, May 26, 2024, after being swept by wind and current from the temporary humanitarian pier in the Gaza Strip (AP)
The $230 million temporary pier constructed by the US in Gaza, built with the proclaimed goal of enhancing the flow of humanitarian aid to the war- and famine-torn strip, is facing mounting criticism after a series of operational failures since its inauguration in mid-May.
Initially set up by US military personnel on May 17, the pier was expected to significantly ease the delivery of aid to Gaza's starving population. However, high waves dislodged the pier just over a week after its deployment, halting aid deliveries.
It took another week to secure the pier back in place, but it was dismantled again due to forecasts of bad weather, which is unfortunate in a sense due to the fact that even the world's strongest navy couldn't stomach a few waves and some bad weather.
Despite efforts to re-anchor and resume operations on Thursday, the pier has been described as largely ineffective. Georgios Petropoulos, head of the UN humanitarian coordination office in Gaza, labeled the operation "a failure."
"Let's be honest with ourselves. It's much to do about nothing. Distracted us for three months," Petropoulos stated in a recent report by The Washington Post.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that the Biden administration plans to dismantle the pier completely in early July following its failure to make a meaningful impact on Gaza's dire humanitarian situation.
Since its plan was revealed, the real purpose of the pier has been widely speculated, as it can represent the basis for a future permanent US military base on the shores of Palestine under the pretext of delivering aid.
The pier could also serve as a choke point for aid in the post-war situation, as such deliveries could be linked to political pressure on the people of Gaza and the resistance to submit to future US dictates.
With the Israeli control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the Israelis now control all entry points to Gaza, which puts all aid entry points in the hands of the US and the Israelis.
On another note, The US's failure to establish a moderately sized peer has sparked a wave of mockery on social media regarding the readiness of the US Navy amid rising tensions with China and the possibility of a naval conflict in East Asia.
On May 25, footage circulated across social media platforms, showing the pier floating away as waves carried it toward Ashdod, according to Israeli media.
🇺🇸🇮🇱🇵🇸 The American pier in Gaza did collapse!
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) May 27, 2024
LMAO ... the Israelis are making fun of it! pic.twitter.com/gOwItFCaB3
Israeli Channel 12 specifically reported that strong waves swept away a section of the American floating pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip, heading towards the shores of Ashdod.
