US Shuts Down $230 Million Aid Pier Off Gaza Coast after Two Months
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United States has closed a $230 million temporary pier off the Gaza coast, ceasing its use for humanitarian aid delivery just two months after it was reportedly used by Israeli forces to kill more than 270 people in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
"The maritime surge mission involving the pier is complete. So, there's no more need to use the pier," said Deputy Commander of Central Command Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper in an online briefing.
He said the maritime mission will transition from a temporary pier in Gaza to a port in Ashdod, occupied Palestine.
"In the past few weeks, we've begun utilizing this new hybrid pathway from the sea and land to deliver aid from Cyprus to the port of Ashdod, Israel, then into North Gaza via the UN and WFP (World Food Program)," he added.
Cooper said in the coming weeks, it is expected that millions of pounds of aid will enter Gaza through the pathway.
The Pentagon said Tuesday that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, that the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) temporary pier will soon cease operations.
The $230 million pier has paused operations several times.
US President Joe Biden ordered the establishment of the sea route to deliver food and aid to Palestinians on March 8 amid Israeli restrictions and months of war in the enclave.
