Gaza floating pier: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Gaza dock provided by US military |
{{Short description|Gaza dock provided by US military}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} |
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{{Infobox pier |
{{Infobox pier |
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| name = Gaza floating pier |
| name = Gaza floating pier |
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| image = Gaza pier May 16.png |
| image = Gaza pier May 16.png |
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| image_size = |
| image_size = |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| caption = Causeway connected to Gaza shore, shortly after completion on May 16 |
| caption = Causeway connected to Gaza shore, shortly after completion on May 16 |
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| official_name = |
| official_name = |
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| type = Barge landing |
| type = Barge landing |
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| carries = Food aid from Cyprus |
| carries = Food aid from Cyprus |
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| spans = |
| spans = |
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| locale = [[Mediterranean Sea]] off [[Gaza Strip]] |
| locale = [[Mediterranean Sea]] off [[Gaza Strip]] |
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| maint = |
| maint = |
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| id = |
| id = |
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| design = |
| design = |
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| designer = |
| designer = |
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| construction = |
| construction = US Army, US Navy |
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| start = April 6, 2024 |
| start = April 6, 2024 |
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| completed = May 16, 2024 |
| completed = May 16, 2024 |
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| open = May 17, 2024 |
| open = May 17, 2024 |
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| inaugurated = |
| inaugurated = |
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| owner = |
| owner = |
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| operator = |
| operator = |
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| mainspan = |
| mainspan = |
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| length = |
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| width = |
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| clearance = |
| clearance = |
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| below = |
| below = |
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| traffic = |
| traffic = |
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| renovated = <!-- or | rebuilt = --> |
| renovated = <!-- or | rebuilt = --> |
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| closed = |
| closed = |
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| destroyed = |
| destroyed = |
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| demolished = |
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| listed = |
| listed = |
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| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|dd|mm|ss|N|dd|mm|ss|E|display=inline,title}} --> |
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|dd|mm|ss|N|dd|mm|ss|E|display=inline,title}} --> |
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The '''Gaza floating pier''' is a [[Floating dock (jetty)|floating dock]] facility created by the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] |
The '''Gaza floating pier''' is a [[Floating dock (jetty)|floating dock]] facility created by the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] after being proposed immediately before U.S. President Biden's [[2024 State of the Union Address]] on March 7, 2024. It was completed in May 2024. |
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It was constructed by U.S. military forces on ships offshore the [[Gaza Strip]], then connected to the shore by [[causeway]], to enable delivery of maritime cargo for [[Humanitarian aid during the Israel–Hamas war|humanitarian assistance]] to Gaza.<ref name="AP"/><ref name=WaPo/><ref name=PBS/><ref name=TheHill/> The unloading point joins the [[Netzarim Corridor]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=What |
It was constructed by U.S. military forces based on ships offshore of the [[Gaza Strip]], then connected to the shore by [[causeway]], to enable the delivery of maritime cargo for [[Humanitarian aid during the Israel–Hamas war|humanitarian assistance]] to Gaza.<ref name="AP"/><ref name=WaPo/><ref name=PBS/><ref name=TheHill/> The unloading point joins the [[Netzarim Corridor]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Israel's strategic corridor in Gaza reveals about its postwar plans|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/17/gaza-israel-netzarim-corridor-war-hamas/|date= 17 May 2024|publisher= WAPO}}</ref> The [[World Food Programme]] will be responsible for receiving and distributing the aid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/middleeast/gaza-floating-pier-aid-trucks-intl-hnk/index.html|title=US military starts delivering aid to Gaza through floating pier|first=Jessie|last=Yeung|date=May 17, 2024|website=CNN}}</ref> |
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President Biden stated that Israel "must also do its part." He |
President Biden stated that Israel "must also do its part." He noted, "Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |title=Biden announces US will build pier on Gaza shore for large-scale aid delivery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/07/biden-us-port-gaza-aid-delivery |access-date=14 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=8 March 2024}}</ref> |
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Israel will inspect the humanitarian aid in Cyprus |
Israel will inspect the humanitarian aid in Cyprus before shipping and again at checkpoints in Gaza when it is delivered off the pier. The pier can deliver 150 trucks of aid per day.<ref name=bbc-20240426/> After its collapse, it was dismissed by [[Stephen Walt]] as an expensive PR stunt to sidestep pressuring issues to open its border crossings.<ref name="Walt" >[[Stephen Walt]], [https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/06/04/biden-foreign-policy-gaza-ukraine-foreign-policy-incompetence/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921 'Biden's Foreign-Policy Problem Is Incompetence,'] [[Foreign Policy]] 4 June 2024.</ref> The United States denied allegations that Israeli forces had used the Gaza floating pier during the [[Nuseirat refugee camp massacre]] or [[Nuseirat rescue operation|the rescue operation]].<ref name=thenational/><ref name=faketruck/> |
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As of June 2024, the pier has handled thousands of tons of food aid,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/13/politics/us-military-gaza-pier-considers-temporary-dismantling/index.html|title=US military considers temporarily dismantling pier off coast of Gaza for second time due to rough sea conditions|date=13 June 2024|website=[[CNN]]|author-first1=Natasha|author-last1=Bertrand|author-first2=Oren|author-last2=Liebermann|author-first3=Jennifer|author-last3=Hansler|access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> with Fogbow delivering over a thousand pallets of food.<ref name="wsj5"/> According to the [[US Central Command]], as of June 24, 2024, more than 6206 tons of humanitarian aid had been delivered since May 17, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1805254589924458964|title=U.S. Central Command Humanitarian Aid Update|date=24 June 2024|website=[[United States Central Command]]|via=[[Twitter]]|access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> The pier has been dismantled three times because of weather and may not be restored. |
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⚫ | A [[blockade]] has been imposed on the movement of goods and people in and out of the [[Gaza Strip]] since [[Hamas]]'s takeover in 2007, led by [[Israel]] and supported by [[Egypt]]. The blockade's current stated aim is to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza; previously stated motivations have included exerting economic pressure on Hamas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Light at the End of Their Tunnels? Hamas and the Arab Uprisings |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Israel%20Palestine/129-light-at-the-end-of-their-tunnels-hamas-and-the-arab-uprisings.pdf |archive-url= |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | Attempts to bring in humanitarian aid by water into Gaza |
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{{Gaza blockade}}{{See also|Humanitarian aid during the Israel–Hamas war}} |
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⚫ | A [[blockade]] has been imposed on the movement of goods and people in and out of the [[Gaza Strip]] since [[Hamas]]'s takeover in 2007, led by [[Israel]] and supported by [[Egypt]]. The blockade's current stated aim is to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza; previously stated motivations have included exerting economic pressure on Hamas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Light at the End of Their Tunnels? Hamas and the Arab Uprisings |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Israel%20Palestine/129-light-at-the-end-of-their-tunnels-hamas-and-the-arab-uprisings.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902185323/https://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Israel%20Palestine/129-light-at-the-end-of-their-tunnels-hamas-and-the-arab-uprisings.pdf |archive-date=2 September 2012 |website=International Crisis Group |publisher= |page=38, note 283 |quote=The prime minister is comfortable with limited economic growth in Gaza, particularly as a way to modify Hamas's urge to get into trouble. We still want there to be a discrepancy between economic life in Gaza and the West Bank, but we no longer feel it needs to be so large. |access-date=18 May 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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⚫ | Attempts to bring in humanitarian aid by water into Gaza have been attempted multiple times and have ended with intervention by the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli military]]. In May 2010, the IDF participated in a military operation dubbed the [[Gaza flotilla raid]] against six civilian ships in [[international waters]], resulting in contested events; nine passengers of the flotilla killed and thirty passengers and 10 IDF troops wounded.<ref>Finkelstein, N. (2021). Gaza: An Inquest Into Its Martyrdom. United States: University of California Press. pp. 146 "The only witnesses able to contest the official Israeli account had been impris- oned and their photographic evidence confiscated."</ref> In July 2011, a [[Freedom Flotilla II|second flotilla]] was planned by 22 NGOs to attempt to break the maritime blockade but did not take place.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 1, 2011 |title=Flotilla delayed until next week |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/flotilla_delayed_until_next_week_20110701/ |access-date=July 2, 2011 |work=Jewish Journal |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}</ref> In the summer of 2015, a [[Freedom Flotilla III|third flotilla]] was planned to break the blockade and set out from Sweden with multiple stops before being intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters and participants detained.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Israeli Navy Peacefully Intercepts Gaza-Bound Vessel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/06/29/world/middleeast/ap-ml-israel-gaza.html?_r=0 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=IDF violence against passangers [sic] of Ship to Gaza boat Marianne |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3GficMbVlQ |access-date=9 July 2015 |website=YouTube}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The Gaza Strip is experiencing a [[humanitarian crisis]] as a result of the [[Israel–Hamas war]] which began after the Hamas attack on Israel on |
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⚫ | The Gaza Strip is experiencing a [[humanitarian crisis]] as a result of the [[Israel–Hamas war]], which began after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.<ref name="spiraling humanitarian crisis">{{cite web |last1=Ioanes |first1=Ellen |date=October 14, 2023 |title=Gaza's spiraling humanitarian crisis, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2023/10/14/23917260/israel-hamas-war-gaza-humanitarian-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014224531/https://www.vox.com/2023/10/14/23917260/israel-hamas-war-gaza-humanitarian-crisis |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=16 October 2023 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref><ref name="humanitarian catastrophe">{{cite news |last1=Marsi |first1=Federica |date=October 14, 2023 |title=Gaza doctors warn of a humanitarian catastrophe after Israeli attacks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/14/supplies-exhausted-doctors-exhausted-in-gaza-catastrophe-looms-large |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014174402/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/14/supplies-exhausted-doctors-exhausted-in-gaza-catastrophe-looms-large |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=25 October 2023 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> The crisis includes both a [[Gaza Strip famine|famine]] and a [[Timeline of the Gaza Strip healthcare collapse|healthcare collapse]].{{cn|date=June 2024}} At the start of the [[war]], Israel tightened its [[2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip|blockade of the Gaza Strip]] on October 9, 2023, with Israel's Defense Minister [[Yoav Gallant]] announced a "total blockade",<ref name="aljazeera 2023-10-09">{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Israel announces 'total' blockade on Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/israel-announces-total-blockade-on-gaza |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009105304/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/israel-announces-total-blockade-on-gaza |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Gaza 'soon without fuel, medicine and food' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67051292 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009192127/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67051292 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> This has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies.<ref name="spiraling humanitarian crisis" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gottbrath |first1=Laurin-Whitney |title=Gaza "fast becoming hell hole" on "brink of collapse" amid Israel strikes: UN |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/10/14/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-hamas-israel-war-death-toll |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016101000/https://www.axios.com/2023/10/14/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-hamas-israel-war-death-toll |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]}}</ref> After receiving pressure from U.S. President [[Joe Biden]], Gallant changed his position of a complete blockade and a deal was made on 19 October for Israel and Egypt to allow aid into Gaza.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |date=2024-03-02 |title=Fergal Keane: Aid convoy tragedy shows fear of starvation haunts Gaza |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68456718 |access-date=2024-04-03 |language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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⚫ | In January 2024, Israeli authorities blocked 56% of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 February 2024 |title=Israel appears to be in breach of ICJ orders on Gaza, senior UN official says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/10/israel-appears-to-be-in-breach-of-icj-orders-on-gaza-senior-un-official-says |work=The Guardian}}</ref> On |
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⚫ | In January 2024, Israeli authorities blocked 56% of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 February 2024 |title=Israel appears to be in breach of ICJ orders on Gaza, senior UN official says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/10/israel-appears-to-be-in-breach-of-icj-orders-on-gaza-senior-un-official-says |work=The Guardian}}</ref> On February 9, 2024, [[UNRWA]]'s director [[Philippe Lazzarini]] reported that Israel had blocked food for 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frankel |first=Julia |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Israel is holding up food for 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza, the main UN aid agency there says |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-unwra-bank-aid-4ed5e0652dd81b875055679a01a19371 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> |
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==Outline plan== |
==Outline plan== |
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During October and November 2023, Cypriot President [[Nikos Christodoulides]] developed the maritime aid corridor idea, named the [[Nikos Christodoulides#Amalthea Initiative|Amalthea Initiative]],<ref name=politico-20231109>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/cyprus-humanitarian-aid-gaza-european-union-israel-hamas-shipments/ |title=EU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to Gaza |last=Stamouli |first=Nektaria |website=POLITICO |date=9 November 2023 |access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=fm-20231031>{{cite news |url=https://www.financialmirror.com/2023/10/31/efforts-intensify-to-open-maritime-aid-corridor-to-gaza/ |title=Efforts intensify to open maritime aid corridor to Gaza |website=Financial Mirror |location=Cyprus |date=31 October 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> with European Union leaders at a [[Paris Peace Forum#Sixth edition: 2023|humanitarian conference in Paris]] and elsewhere.<ref name=reuters-20231109>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cyprus-outlines-plan-maritime-corridor-get-aid-gaza-2023-11-09/ |title=Cyprus outlines plan for maritime corridor to get aid to Gaza |last=Irish |first=John |publisher=Reuters |url-access=limited |date=9 November 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=obct-20231121>{{cite web |url=https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Cyprus/Cyprus-Plan-for-a-Maritime-Humanitarian-Aid-Corridor-to-Gaza-228444 |title=Cyprus' Plan for a Maritime Humanitarian Aid Corridor to Gaza |last=Drosopoulos |first=Mary |website=Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa |date=21 November 2023 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> On November 5, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] visited Cyprus to discuss the maritime aid corridor.<ref name=voa-20231105>{{cite news |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/us-secretary-cyprus-president-discuss-gaza-maritime-aid-corridor-/7342494.html |title=US Secretary, Cyprus President Discuss Gaza Maritime Aid Corridor |agency=AFP |publisher=Voice of America |date=5 November 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> |
During October and November 2023, Cypriot President [[Nikos Christodoulides]] developed the maritime aid corridor idea, named the [[Nikos Christodoulides#Amalthea Initiative|Amalthea Initiative]],<ref name=politico-20231109>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/cyprus-humanitarian-aid-gaza-european-union-israel-hamas-shipments/ |title=EU throws weight behind Cypriot plan to ship aid to Gaza |last=Stamouli |first=Nektaria |website=POLITICO |date=9 November 2023 |access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=fm-20231031>{{cite news |url=https://www.financialmirror.com/2023/10/31/efforts-intensify-to-open-maritime-aid-corridor-to-gaza/ |title=Efforts intensify to open maritime aid corridor to Gaza |website=Financial Mirror |location=Cyprus |date=31 October 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> with European Union leaders at a [[Paris Peace Forum#Sixth edition: 2023|humanitarian conference in Paris]] and elsewhere.<ref name=reuters-20231109>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cyprus-outlines-plan-maritime-corridor-get-aid-gaza-2023-11-09/ |title=Cyprus outlines plan for maritime corridor to get aid to Gaza |last=Irish |first=John |publisher=Reuters |url-access=limited |date=9 November 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=obct-20231121>{{cite web |url=https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Cyprus/Cyprus-Plan-for-a-Maritime-Humanitarian-Aid-Corridor-to-Gaza-228444 |title=Cyprus' Plan for a Maritime Humanitarian Aid Corridor to Gaza |last=Drosopoulos |first=Mary |website=Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa |date=21 November 2023 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> On November 5, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] visited Cyprus to discuss the maritime aid corridor.<ref name=voa-20231105>{{cite news |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/us-secretary-cyprus-president-discuss-gaza-maritime-aid-corridor-/7342494.html |title=US Secretary, Cyprus President Discuss Gaza Maritime Aid Corridor |agency=AFP |publisher=Voice of America |date=5 November 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> |
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On November 20, 2023, Christodoulides said Cyprus was ready to ship large quantities of humanitarian aid to Gaza when a pause in fighting was declared. He |
On November 20, 2023, Christodoulides said Cyprus was ready to ship large quantities of humanitarian aid to Gaza when a pause in fighting was declared. He noted that shallow-draft vessels could be used in the short term to ferry aid, and in the medium term, a floating dock off Gaza could be used. He had regularly contacted the Israeli Prime Minister about the proposal, but getting authorization required careful negotiations. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Israel was "definitely in favor of the project."<ref name=ap-20231120>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/cyprus-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-ships-maritime-corridor-beedb24215b4c9955cedfa46e674db4e |title=Cyprus' president says his country is ready to ship aid to Gaza once a go-ahead is given |last=Hadjicostis |first=Menelaos |publisher=Associated Press |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=toi-20231120>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/cyprus-prepared-to-immediately-ship-aid-to-gaza-through-sea-corridor/ |title=Cyprus prepared to 'immediately' ship aid to Gaza through sea corridor |website=Times of Israel |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> |
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''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'' reported that a senior Israeli diplomatic source said the plan was based on a proposal for a maritime route to Gaza via Cyprus for humanitarian assistance initiated by Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] in collaboration with President Biden on October 22, 2023. ''The Jerusalem Post'' reported that on October 31, Netanyahu outlined this proposal to Cypriot President Christodoulides |
''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'' reported that a senior Israeli diplomatic source said the plan was based on a proposal for a maritime route to Gaza via Cyprus for humanitarian assistance initiated by Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] in collaboration with President Biden on October 22, 2023. ''The Jerusalem Post'' reported that on October 31, Netanyahu outlined this proposal to Cypriot President Christodoulides. On January 19, 2024, Netanyahu proposed to Biden that a team should be set up to explore the proposal, including inspecting all goods transported.<ref name=jp-20240311>{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-791239 |title=Diplomatic source to 'Post': Gaza maritime route was Netanyahu's idea - exclusive |last=Lazaroff |first=Tovah |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=11 March 2024 |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=ji-20240313>{{cite news |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2024/03/aid-food-gaza-israel-pier-cyprus-airdrops-hamas/ |title=Food airdrops, pier construction can't overcome chaos in Gaza aid distribution, say officials |last1=Eglash |first1=Ruth Marks |last2=Harkov |first2=Lahav |newspaper=Jewish Insider |location=New York |quote=Contrary to the Biden administration's portrayal of the initiative as a way to bypass Israel, Jewish Insider heard Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tout the idea in a press briefing – off the record at the time – on Nov. 5, 2023. Netanyahu said at the time, less than a month into the war, that he had already discussed the idea with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. |date=13 March 2024 |access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> On December 20, Israeli Foreign Minister [[Eli Cohen (politician, born 1972)|Eli Cohen]] said, "The creation of a maritime corridor to Gaza will help Israel's economic disengagement from the Strip", following a meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister [[Constantinos Kombos]] to discuss the maritime aid corridor.<ref name=jp-20231220>{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-778839 |title=Israel-Cyprus working on maritime aid corridor for Gaza |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=20 December 2023 |access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> Israeli Foreign Minister [[Avigdor Lieberman]] had proposed a similar plan to Cyprus in 2010 when it was called the [[Blockade of the Gaza Strip#Lieberman Proposal|Lieberman Proposal]],<ref name=fp-20100809>{{cite news |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/08/09/an-immodest-and-dangerous-proposal/ |title=An immodest – and dangerous – proposal |last=Siegman |first=Henry |newspaper=Foreign Policy |date=9 August 2010 |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref> and again in 2018 when he was Defense Minister.<ref name=dw-20180626>{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/israel-asks-cyprus-to-consider-port-for-gaza/a-44411549 |title=Israel asks Cyprus to consider port for Gaza |agency=AFP and Reuters |newspaper=Deutsche Welle |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=22 March 2024}}</ref> In 2021, Israeli Foreign Minister [[Yair Lapid]] proposed the [[Gaza Development Plan]] which included a sea port on an [[artificial island]] under Israeli security control off Gaza.<ref name=toi-20210912>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-proposes-new-vision-for-gaza-promises-economic-steps-for-hamas-quiet/ |title=Lapid proposes 'new vision' for Gaza, promises economic steps for Hamas quiet |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |website=Times of Israel |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=jns-20210930>{{cite news |url=https://www.jns.org/gaza-seaport-in-egypts-sinai-could-boost-strips-economy-preserve-israels-security-expert-says/ |title=Expert says Gaza seaport in Sinai could boost Strip's economy, preserve Israel's security |last=Lappin |first=Yaakov |publisher=Jewish News Syndicate |date=30 September 2021 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> |
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The pier |
The pier was designed to allow delivery of thousands of tons of food aid at a time, equivalent to "hundreds of truckloads",<ref name=VOA/> via barges embarked in Cyprus and screened for contraband there by [[Cyprus Police]].<ref name=WSJ/> |
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[[File:LSV-1 General Frank S. Besson Jr.jpg|thumb|''General Frank S. Besson'' supported construction of the Gaza pier]] |
[[File:LSV-1 General Frank S. Besson Jr.jpg|thumb|''General Frank S. Besson'' supported construction of the Gaza pier]] |
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Over 1,000 U.S. military personnel |
Over 1,000 U.S. military personnel were involved in the construction of the pier and {{convert|1800|foot|m}} long Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) type modular causeway over 60 days.<ref name=Myers/><ref name=FT20240308/> The part of the JLOTS system<ref name=dod-20050805>{{cite web |url=https://www.bits.de/NRANEU/others/jp-doctrine/jp4_01_6(05).pdf |title=Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) |id=JP 4-01.6 |publisher=Department of Defense |date=5 August 2005 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> included in this project is a large floating modular unloading platform secured by sea anchors stationed about three miles offshore, allowing supplies to be then transferred by [[Lighter (barge)|lighters]] to a modular causeway off the shore.<ref name=ap-20240308>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5 |title=Biden orders US military to set up temporary aid port for Gaza as famine threatens |last1=Magdy |first1=Samy |last2=Sewell |first2=Abby |last3=Madhani |first3=Aamer |last4=Knickmeyer |first4=Ellen |publisher=Associated Press |date=8 March 2024 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=bbc-20240313>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68534370 |title=How the US military plans to construct a pier and get food into Gaza |last=Debusmann |first=Bernd |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2024 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> The project, known internally as the Blue Beach Plan, was partially developed by an advisory group called Fogbow, co-founded by [[Michael Mulroy]], a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, and [[Carl E. Mundy III|Sam Mundy]], a retired Marine Lt. Gen. The plan includes potentially [[dredging]] a corridor on a private beachfront to aid unloading. The goal is to allow barges to approach the shore for aid distribution onto trucks. The military pier, once operational, could provide another way for aid delivery. The Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) was not required under the original Blue Beach Plan.<ref name=CNN20240308/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68534370.amp |title=How the US military plans to construct a pier and get food into Gaza |date=13 March 2024 |website=[[BBC News]] |author-first=Bernd|author-last= Debusmann Jr |location=[[Washington, D.C.]], USA |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-sends-military-ship-to-help-build-pier-for-gaza-aid-d78eee6b |title=Bid to Pause Israel-Hamas War Falters Before Ramadan Starts |date=10 March 2024 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |author-first1=Dov|author-last1=Lieber |author-first2=Nancy|author-last2=A. Youssef |author-first3=Vivian|author-last3=Salama |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> |
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===Fogbow plan=== |
===Fogbow plan=== |
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The Fogbow plan is a strategy created by the American advisory group Fogbow, founded by [[Michael Mulroy]] and [[Carl E. Mundy III|Sam Mundy]] and managed by former US |
The Fogbow plan is a strategy created by the American advisory group Fogbow, founded by [[Michael Mulroy]] and [[Carl E. Mundy III|Sam Mundy]] and managed by former US Military, Intelligence, and United Nations personnel, to establish a maritime corridor. According to the initial Fogbow plan, a significant portion of aid will be transported using Masri trucks to the Gaza Industrial Zone, a specified area within the Gaza sector. Additionally, Fogbow aims to set up a new beach landing site to deliver humanitarian aid. This initiative seeks to improve aid distribution by increasing the number of drop zones along the coast, making it easier to transport aid to remote areas that are difficult to reach by typical overland routes. The [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) have agreed to provide security assistance to Fogbow. To support the implementation of this plan, funding will be directed through a recently established foundation called the "Maritime Humanitarian Aid Foundation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/19/politics/biden-administration-gaza-pier-distribution-agreement?cid=ios_app|title=Biden administration secures key agreement for aid distribution from US military pier being built off Gaza coast|date=20 April 2024|website=[[CNN]]|author-first1=Natasha|author-last1=Bertrand|author-first2=Jennifer|author-last2=Hansler|author-first3=Kylie|author-last3=Atwood|author-first4=Alex|author-last4=Marquardt|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2024-04-10/ty-article-magazine/.premium/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-planned-u-s-backed-marine-pier-in-gaza/0000018e-c798-dadb-a1fe-e7d9c2100000|title=A Thousand U.S. Soldiers, Donations From the UAE: Behind the Plans for Gaza's Aid Pier|date=10 April 2024|website=[[Haaretz]]|author-first=Yossi|author-last=Melman|url-access=subscription|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/unlike-airdrops-maritime-aid-corridors-can-actually-help-gaza"|title=Unlike Airdrops, Maritime Aid Corridors Can Actually Help Gaza|date=2 April 2024|website=[[The Washington Institute for Near East Policy]]|author-first=Andrew|author-last=G. Clemmensen|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref> |
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As of June 2024, Fogbow has delivered over a thousand pallets of food.<ref name="wsj5"/> |
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==Construction and route history== |
==Construction and route history== |
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[[File:USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306).jpg|thumb|{{MV|Roy P. Benavidez|T-AKR-306|6}}]] |
[[File:USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306).jpg|thumb|{{MV|Roy P. Benavidez|T-AKR-306|6}}]] |
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[[File: |
[[File:Map of Gaza Strip with no-go zone 2012.jpg|thumb|Construction began in the Mediterranean Sea 8 km from Gaza Strip, inside the exclusion zone shown here]] |
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[[File:RRDF floating pier near Gaza April 2024, 240426-D-DO477-1002.jpg|thumb|Construction of the floating pier, April 26, 2024]] |
[[File:RRDF floating pier near Gaza April 2024, 240426-D-DO477-1002.jpg|thumb|Construction of the floating pier, April 26, 2024]] |
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On March 9, 2024, U.S. Army support ship ''[[USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr.|General Frank S. Besson]]'' was sent from Norfolk to begin construction |
On March 9, 2024, the U.S. Army support ship ''[[USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr.|General Frank S. Besson]]'' was sent from Norfolk to begin pier construction.<ref name=ABC/> Four <!-- erroneously reported as three in Virginia press-->more ships with 500 Army troops left on March 12. The ships included [[landing craft]] USAV ''Wilson Wharf'', USAV ''Matamoros'' and USAV ''Monterrey''; and ''Besson''-class support ship [[USAV SP4 James A. Loux|USAV ''SP4 James A. Loux'']].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hampton Roads-based soldiers deploy to build floating pier for Gaza aid |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |location=Newport News |first=Caitlyn|last= Burchett |date=March 12, 2024 |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2024/03/12/hampton-roads-based-soldiers-deploy-to-build-floating-pier-for-gaza-aid/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US troops en route to Gaza coast in deployment families say was a shock|author1-first=Anne |author1-last=Flaherty|author2-first=Nathan |author2-last=Luna|date=March 12, 2024|publisher=ABC|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-troops-en-route-gaza-coast-deployment-families/story?id=108051602}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |publisher=Associated Press |via=MSN |title=US Army boats head out on a mission to build a floating pier off Gaza's shore for food deliveries |first=Lolita C. |last=Baldor |date=March 12, 2024 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-army-boats-head-out-on-a-mission-to-build-a-floating-pier-off-gazas-shore-for-food-deliveries/ar-BB1jMuoS}}</ref> In addition to Army, [[Naval Beach Group 1]] from San Diego, and {{MV|Roy P. Benavidez|T-AKR-306}} from an East Coast maritime reserve force were assigned to assist in construction.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=US Naval Institute |website=USNI News |title= Army Watercraft Depart for Gaza Port Mission, Navy Preparing East Coast Reserve Ship to Sail |author1=SAM LAGRONE |author2= MALLORY SHELBOURNE |date=March 12, 2024 |url= https://news.usni.org/2024/03/12/army-watercraft-set-sail-for-gaza-port-mission-navy-preparing-east-coast-reserve-ship-to-sail}}</ref> ''Roy P. Benavidez'' departed from Virginia on March 21.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=UPI|via=MSN|title=U.S. ship departs Virginia to aid in Gaza pier construction|first=Ehren |last=Wynde|date=March 21, 2024|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-ship-departs-virginia-to-aid-in-gaza-pier-construction/ar-BB1kjt6l}}</ref> |
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The Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chairpersons [[Mark Warner]] and [[Ben Cardin]] (both Democrats) requested briefings from the Biden administration on the [[force protection]] plan for the U.S. units participating in construction.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Politico|title=Democrats join Republicans in wanting more answers on Biden's Gaza pier – Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he has 'very serious questions about how the construction will be done, with the assurance of safety to our troops.'|author1=Joe Gould|author2=Lara Seligman|date=March 15, 2024 }}</ref> On March 28, the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs]] told press that Israel would be providing security during installation of the pier.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|date=March 28, 2024|title=Israel commits to helping protect US troops off coast of Gaza, Joint Chiefs chair says |first=Natasha |last=Bertrand|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-03-29-24/h_15f508519928b2ed31c42a3b09460759}}</ref> |
The Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chairpersons [[Mark Warner]] and [[Ben Cardin]] (both Democrats) requested briefings from the Biden administration on the [[force protection]] plan for the U.S. units participating in the construction.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Politico|title=Democrats join Republicans in wanting more answers on Biden's Gaza pier – Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he has 'very serious questions about how the construction will be done, with the assurance of safety to our troops.'|author1=Joe Gould|author2=Lara Seligman|date=March 15, 2024 }}</ref> On March 28, the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs]] told the press that Israel would be providing security during the installation of the pier.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|date=March 28, 2024|title=Israel commits to helping protect US troops off coast of Gaza, Joint Chiefs chair says |first=Natasha |last=Bertrand|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-03-29-24/h_15f508519928b2ed31c42a3b09460759}}</ref> |
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By April 5, ''Besson'' and ''Benavidez'' had reached the Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|title=Two US ships in Mediterranean as Pentagon sticks to timeline for Gaza aid corridor |first=Alison|last=Bath|date=April 5, 2024|url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-04-05/gaza-pier-mediterranean-food-13494438.html}}</ref> By April 17, ''Besson'', ''Benavidez'' and three other Army vessels had reached Crete.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|via=MSN|date=April 17, 2023|title=US Army ships heading to Gaza, arrive in Crete|first=Seth J. |last=Frantzman}}</ref> |
By April 5, ''Besson'' and ''Benavidez'' had reached the Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|title=Two US ships in Mediterranean as Pentagon sticks to timeline for Gaza aid corridor |first=Alison|last=Bath|date=April 5, 2024|url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-04-05/gaza-pier-mediterranean-food-13494438.html}}</ref> By April 17, ''Besson'', ''Benavidez'' and three other Army vessels had reached Crete.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|via=MSN|date=April 17, 2023|title=US Army ships heading to Gaza, arrive in Crete|first=Seth J. |last=Frantzman}}</ref> |
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On April 26, construction of the pier by US forces began,<ref>{{cite news|title=Army Begins Building Floating Aid Pier Off Gaza's Coast, Pentagon Says|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 26, 2024}}</ref> and satellite photos published a few days later showed ''Benavidez'' building the dock {{convert|8|km|nmi|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the Gaza shore.<ref>{{cite news|title=US military ships are working to build a pier for Gaza aid. It's going to cost at least $320 million|first=Jon |last=Gambrell|work=Associated Press News|date=April 29, 2024|url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-aid-gaza-us-port-pier-d4d9ea94550aed2d24a258dfd98d866e}}</ref> |
On April 26, construction of the pier by US forces began,<ref>{{cite news|title=Army Begins Building Floating Aid Pier Off Gaza's Coast, Pentagon Says|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 26, 2024}}</ref> and satellite photos published a few days later showed ''Benavidez'' building the dock {{convert|8|km|nmi|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the Gaza shore.<ref>{{cite news|title=US military ships are working to build a pier for Gaza aid. It's going to cost at least $320 million|first=Jon |last=Gambrell|work=Associated Press News|date=April 29, 2024|url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-aid-gaza-us-port-pier-d4d9ea94550aed2d24a258dfd98d866e}}</ref> |
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On May 1, a Pentagon spokesperson said that the floating pier was complete, and the causeway was under construction, with the total project more than half completed.<ref>{{cite news|title=More than 50% of Gaza pier constructed - Pentagon|work=Reuters|date=May 1, 2024|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/more-than-50-gaza-pier-constructed-pentagon-2024-05-01/}}</ref> On May 7, it was reported that the causeway had been assembled offshore and was ready to be moved and connected to the shore.<ref>{{cite news|title=US completes building humanitarian pier off Gaza coast|first=Ellen |last=Mitchell|work=The Hill|date=May 7, 2024|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4649771-us-completes-humanitarian-pier-gaza/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Press|via=[[Radio France Internationale]]|title=US completes construction of Gaza aid pier|quote=The US military has completed construction of its Gaza aid pier, but weather conditions mean it is currently unsafe to move the two-part facility into place, the Pentagon said Tuesday.|date=May 7, 2024|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/middle-east/20240507-us-completes-construction-of-gaza-aid-pier}}</ref> On May 16, the U.S. military announced that the causeway had been anchored and connected to the Gaza shoreline.<ref>{{Cite news | |
On May 1, a Pentagon spokesperson said that the floating pier was complete, and the causeway was under construction, with the total project more than half completed.<ref>{{cite news|title=More than 50% of Gaza pier constructed - Pentagon|work=Reuters|date=May 1, 2024|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/more-than-50-gaza-pier-constructed-pentagon-2024-05-01/}}</ref> On May 7, it was reported that the causeway had been assembled offshore and was ready to be moved and connected to the shore.<ref>{{cite news|title=US completes building humanitarian pier off Gaza coast|first=Ellen |last=Mitchell|work=The Hill|date=May 7, 2024|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4649771-us-completes-humanitarian-pier-gaza/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Press|via=[[Radio France Internationale]]|title=US completes construction of Gaza aid pier|quote=The US military has completed construction of its Gaza aid pier, but weather conditions mean it is currently unsafe to move the two-part facility into place, the Pentagon said Tuesday.|date=May 7, 2024|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/middle-east/20240507-us-completes-construction-of-gaza-aid-pier}}</ref> On May 16, the U.S. military announced that the causeway had been anchored and connected to the Gaza shoreline.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lamothe |first1=Dan |last2=Horton |first2=Alex |date=2024-05-16 |title=U.S. military says Gaza pier is anchored, aid deliveries set to begin |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/05/16/floating-pier-gaza-israel/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Hill|title=US military anchors pier to Gaza; aid expected within days|first=Brad|last=Dress|date=May 16, 2024|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4667538-us-floating-pier-gaza-aid-israel-hamas-palestinians/}}</ref> Trucks began delivering aid off of the pier on May 17.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/17/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas-rafah|title=In the first aid delivery to Gaza by sea in two months, Pentagon officials said that no U.S. troops entered the territory.|first=Victoria|last=Kim|work=The New York Times |date=May 17, 2024|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> On May 21, a [[Pentagon]] spokesperson said that 569 tonnes of aid had crossed the temporary pier but had so far not been distributed, and that moving forward on "safety and security" for humanitarian aid organization workers was critical.<ref name=thehill-20240521>{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/no-gaza-aid-delivered-through-us-pier-has-been-distributed-to-palestinians-pentagon-says/ar-BB1mOWpn |title=No Gaza aid delivered through US pier has been distributed to Palestinians, Pentagon says |last=Irwin |first=Lauren |website=The Hill |location=Washington DC |via=msn.com |date=21 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> |
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A [[Centurion C-RAM]] (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) and the M-LIDS anti-drone systems have been installed by the shore-attached section of the pier for force protection.<ref name=reuters-20240523>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/three-us-troops-have-non-combat-injuries-during-gaza-pier-operation-2024-05-23/ |title=Three US troops have non-combat injuries during Gaza pier operation |last1=Ali |first1=Idrees |last2=Stewart |first2=Phil |publisher=Reuters |url-access=limited |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref name=jewishpress-20240523>{{cite news |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/us-news/us-installs-c-ram-to-protect-new-gaza-floating-pier/2024/05/23/ |title=US Installs C-RAM to Protect New Gaza Floating Pier |last=Julian |first=Hana Levi |website=JewishPress.com |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> |
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The U.S. military cost estimate to build the pier and operate it for 90 days is $320 million, roughly double the initial estimate.<ref name=reuters-20240429>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-militarys-pier-gaza-cost-320-million-2024-04-29/ |title=US military's pier in Gaza to cost 20 million |last1=Stewart |first1=Phil |last2=Psaledakis |first2=Daphne |publisher=Reuters |url-access=limited |date=29 April 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> |
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===Damage and repair=== |
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On May 25, 2024, the U.S. military announced that four boats that were part of the pier's support system broke off from the structure following choppy waters. The four boats became beached, with the military stating that the structure would remain operational. It also added that efforts were underway to retrieve the four vessels.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Keller-Lynn|first1=Carrie|last2=Youssef|title=U.S. 'Floating Pier' for Gaza Damaged by Choppy Seas|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-floating-pier-for-gaza-damaged-by-choppy-seas-f7f1492b|work=Wall Street Journal|date=25 May 2024}}</ref> |
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On May 28, 2024, the U.S. military suspended aid delivery to Gaza after the floating pier was damaged by bad weather.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanchez|first1=Raf|last2=Kube|first2=Courtney|title=U.S. aid deliveries to Gaza by sea suspended after damage to temporary pier|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/gaza-pier-us-aid-suspended-damage-temporary-rcna154299|work=NBC News|date=28 May 2024|access-date=30 May 2024}}</ref> The Pentagon confirmed that a portion of the causeway was damaged and broken off, and must be repaired before being returned to use. Spokeswoman [[Sabrina Singh]] stated that the pier will be removed from the sea with help from the Israeli Navy and undergo over a week of repairs in [[Ashdod]] before returning.<ref>{{cite news|last=Copp|first=Tara|title=US-built pier will be removed from Gaza coast and repaired after damage from rough seas|url=https://apnews.com/article/gaza-pier-damage-weather-seas-boats-f45634fb85e2ac6aec9b814c36ea3526|work=AP News|date=28 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Debusmann Jr.|first=Bernd|title=US Gaza pier knocked out of action by heavy seas|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c033m529ry0o|work=BBC News|date=28 May 2024}}</ref> Fogbow is directly involved with the JLOTS in moving the pier to and from the safe harbor in Ashdod.<ref name="wsj5">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/how-ambitious-plans-for-a-floating-aid-pier-off-gaza-fell-apart-d3336774|title=How Ambitious Plans for a Floating Aid Pier off Gaza Fell Apart|date=12 June 2024|author-first=Nancy|author-last=A. Youssef|url-access=subscription|access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> |
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At the beginning of June, the Pentagon estimated that up to the suspension over 1,000 tonnes of aid had been delivered to shore, 900 tonnes of which had reached UN warehouses.<ref name=bbc-20240528>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c033m529ry0o |title=US Gaza pier knocked out of action by heavy seas |last=Debusmann |first=Bernd |work=BBC News |date=28 May 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> |
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The repaired pier was reinstalled by June 7.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/world/middleeast/gaza-aid-pier-repaired.html|title=Gaza Aid Pier Repaired After Damage by Rough Seas, U.S. Says|first=Michael|last=Crowley|work=The New York Times |date=June 7, 2024|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|title=US floating pier reattached to coast of Gaza, ready to resume aid delivery|author=Matthew Adams|date=June 7, 2024|url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2024-06-07/gaza-pier-humanitarian-aid-israel-hamas-war-14110862.html}}</ref> It was operative for ten days, and may possibly be dismantled in July.<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-officials-say-gaza-aid-pier-may-be-dismantled-soon-after-little-success-report US officials say Gaza aid pier may be dismantled soon, after little success – report] [[Times of Israel]] 19 June 2024</ref> On 22 June, parts of the pier washed up on Frishman Beach in Tel Aviv.<ref>{{cite web |title=Portion of US-built pier in Gaza washes up on Tel Aviv's Frishman Beach |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/portion-of-us-built-pier-in-gaza-washes-up-on-tel-avivs-frishman-beach/#:~:text=A%20portion%20of%20the%20US,it%20started%20operations%20in%20May. |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> The US said on 28 June that they were for the third time moving the pier due to weather conditions and said that it may not be restored.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/washington-ap-gaza-b2570799.html|title=US will remove Gaza aid pier due to weather and may not put it back, officials say|date=June 28, 2024|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/28/politics/us-disconnecting-gaza-pier/index.html|title=US is disconnecting troubled Gaza humanitarian pier for a third time in anticipation of heavy seas, officials say | CNN Politics|first=Haley Britzky, Oren|last=Liebermann|date=June 28, 2024|website=CNN}}</ref> |
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The pier constructed by the U.S. military to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza was scheduled for reinstallation on July 10, 2024, for temporary use.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baldor |first=Lolita C. |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-built-pier-put-back-190852884.html |title=US-built pier will be put back in Gaza for several days to move aid, then permanently removed |work=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=2024-07-09 |accessdate=2024-07-09 }}</ref> As of July 11, the pier was authorized for operation through the end of the month of July, with possible extension until weather makes it untenable.<ref>{{cite news|title=How much has US-built Gaza aid pier helped get aid into Gaza?|agency=Reuters|date=July 11, 2024|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-much-has-us-built-gaza-aid-pier-helped-get-aid-into-gaza-2024-07-11/}}</ref> However, on 11 July, US officials confirmed that the pier would soon cease operations.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/07/11/gaza-pier-humanitarian-aid/</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/us/politics/gaza-pier-aid.html|title=Pentagon to Dismantle Temporary Pier Built for Gaza Aid Operation|first=Eric|last=Schmitt|date=July 11, 2024|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> |
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==Temporary interim jetty== |
==Temporary interim jetty== |
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{{See also|World Central Kitchen#Operation Safeena}} |
{{See also|World Central Kitchen#Operation Safeena}} |
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On March 12, prior to construction of the U.S. pier, a barge "testing" the delivery route, operated by Spanish charity [[Proactiva Open Arms]] and loaded with 200 tons of food from [[World Central Kitchen]], left the port of [[Larnaca]] in Cyprus for Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aid ship testing sea corridor from Cyprus to Gaza sets sail |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=March 12, 2024 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/12/first-aid-ship-to-gaza-leaves-cyprus-port}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First aid ship to Gaza leaves Cyprus port in pilot project |date=March 12, 2024 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/first-aid-ship-gaza-leaves-cyprus-port-pilot-project-2024-03-12/}}</ref> A jetty for unloading the barge was built at a location that was initially "not disclosed for security reasons",<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=El Pais |language=English |title=Operation Safeena: The thousand and one obstacles to bringing aid to Gaza by sea |author1-first=Luis |author1-last=de Vega |author2-first=Lola|author2-last=Hierro |date=March 13, 2024 |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-03-13/operation-safeena-the-thousand-and-one-obstacles-to-bringing-aid-to-gaza-by-sea.html |quote=Another problem was how to unload the aid in Gaza when there are no working ports left. For this reason, WCK has been building a jetty for weeks with rubble |
On March 12, prior to construction of the U.S. pier, a barge "testing" the delivery route, operated by Spanish charity [[Proactiva Open Arms]] and loaded with 200 tons of food from [[World Central Kitchen]], left the port of [[Larnaca]] in Cyprus for Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aid ship testing sea corridor from Cyprus to Gaza sets sail |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=March 12, 2024 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/12/first-aid-ship-to-gaza-leaves-cyprus-port}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First aid ship to Gaza leaves Cyprus port in pilot project |date=March 12, 2024 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/first-aid-ship-gaza-leaves-cyprus-port-pilot-project-2024-03-12/}}</ref> A jetty for unloading the barge was built at a location that was initially "not disclosed for security reasons",<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=El Pais |language=English |title=Operation Safeena: The thousand and one obstacles to bringing aid to Gaza by sea |author1-first=Luis |author1-last=de Vega |author2-first=Lola|author2-last=Hierro |date=March 13, 2024 |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-03-13/operation-safeena-the-thousand-and-one-obstacles-to-bringing-aid-to-gaza-by-sea.html |quote=Another problem was how to unload the aid in Gaza when there are no working ports left. For this reason, WCK has been building a jetty for weeks with rubble, the remains of bombed buildings, and some cranes and construction machines that still work. Its location has not been disclosed for security reasons.}}</ref> but later discerned to be south of Gaza City ({{coord|31.497|N|34.408|E|name=Gaza WCK jetty}}) by journalists using commercial satellite imagery or talking to local construction workers.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]]|title=Aid from Cyprus to enter Gaza via new pier; EU warns of pockets of famine|first=Emanuel|last=Fabian|date=March 14, 2024|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/aid-from-cyprus-to-enter-gaza-via-idf-built-pier-eu-warns-of-pockets-of-famine/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Preparations for maritime dock for aid shipments to Gaza continue – Large vehicles transporting cement blocks from Khan Younis port to Gaza City to build temporary floating dock|date=March 14, 2024|newspaper=[[Yeni Şafak]]|url=https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/preparations-for-maritime-dock-for-aid-shipments-to-gaza-continue-3679406}}</ref> The Cyprus foreign minister, [[Constantinos Kombos]], said on March 13 that the US pier and the food route out of Larnaca would become a single operation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyprus says its maritime aid corridor will utilize US-built Gaza pier |agency=Associated Press |via=Times of Israel |date=March 13, 2024 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/cyprus-says-its-maritime-aid-corridor-will-utilize-us-built-gaza-pier/ |quote=Cyprus' foreign minister says a US initiative to build a pier off Gaza for large-scale aid deliveries to the territory by sea will eventually be folded into the Cyprus-Gaza maritime corridor that's currently running. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos says although the two initiatives are now separate, all aid reaching Gaza by sea will eventually have as its single departure point the Cypriot port of Larnaca.}}<!-- alternate AP headline is GAZA PIER AND CYPRUS MARITIME CORRIDOR WILL BECOME A SINGLE OPERATION, MINISTER SAYS --></ref> The first barge arrived and began to be unloaded at the World Central Kitchen jetty on March 15.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|title=Aid is being shipped to Gaza by sea. But a new maritime corridor is unlikely to stop the looming famine|first=Nadeen |last=Ebrahim|date=March 15, 2024|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/15/middleeast/gaza-aid-ship-explainer-looming-famine-mime-intl/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|title=First Ship Carrying Food Aid Arrives in Gaza|first=Anushka|last=Patil|date=March 15, 2024|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/world/middleeast/gaza-food-aid-ship.html}}</ref> |
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==Alleged role in Nuseirat attack== |
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{{main|Nuseirat refugee camp massacre|2024 Nuseirat rescue operation}} |
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On June 8, 2024, Israel initiated a military action that rescued 4 hostages and killed 274 Palestinians (mostly civilians), according to Gaza Health Authorities. While the United States acknowledged assisting Israel in the operation, it denied that the floating pier was used.<ref name=thenational>{{cite news |title=US denies Gaza aid pier was used in deadly hostage rescue operation |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2024/06/09/us-denies-gaza-aid-pier-was-used-in-deadly-hostage-rescue-operation/ |work=The National |date=9 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> A video emerged on social media showing an Israeli [[Black Hawk helicopter]] close to the pier picking up IDF soldiers and hostages.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Margaret |date=2024-06-08 |title=U.S. provided support to Israeli forces in rescue of 4 hostages in Gaza - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-support-israeli-forces-rescue-hostages-gaza/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The video also shows military equipment, including a US counter-drone system, on the pier.<ref name=thenational/> |
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The [[Popular Resistance Committees]] in Gaza released a statement in which it "confirms the participation of American enemy forces stationed on the floating dock" to conduct an attack on the Nuseira refugee camp.<ref name="faketruck">{{cite news |title=Fake Aid Truck Used to Carry Out Rescue Operation - US 'Special Cell' Participated in Nuseirat Massacre |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/fake-aid-truck-used-to-carry-out-rescue-operation-us-special-cell-participated-in-nuseirat-massacre/ |work=Palestine Chronicle |date=8 June 2024}}</ref> [[Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor|Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor]] said IDF didn't just evacuate using the pier. Still, it was likely that the IDF entered into Gaza using the pier as well.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=The New Arab |title=Did the US play a role in Israel's massacre at Gaza's Nuseirat? |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/did-us-play-role-israels-massacre-gazas-nuseirat |work=www.newarab.com/ |date=9 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> United States officials told CBS News reporters that the video appearing to show the helicopter taking off from the beach near the pier, showed the helicopter landing south of the facility and not within the cordoned off area of the pier.<ref name=":0" /> |
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Shortly after the rescue operation, it was announced that the United Nations World Food Program would pause all of its work with the pier, until a security review and review of how the IDF may have utilized the pier was completed. Due to this, humanitarian aid has been piling up on the beach, as the UN works to transfer the aid to warehouses and local aid teams within Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Knickmeyer |first1=Ellen |last2=Lederer |first2=Edith |date=2024-06-14 |title=US-built pier in Gaza is facing its latest challenge — whether the UN will keep delivering the aid |url=https://apnews.com/article/pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-un-2465291ca9308f9d97e3cc51a8cab6c7 |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> |
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As of June 18, 2024, US officials have indicated that the pier may be dismantled by early July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-officials-say-gaza-aid-pier-may-be-dismantled-soon-after-little-success-report/|title=US officials say Gaza aid pier may be dismantled soon, after little success - report | The Times of Israel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/18/us/politics/gaza-pier-israel-aid.html | title=U.S. Pier for Gaza Aid is Failing, and Could be Dismantled Early | work=The New York Times | last1=Cooper | first1=Helene | last2=Schmitt | first2=Eric | date=June 18, 2024 }}</ref> |
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==Reactions== |
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On May 17, 2024, the spokesperson for [[UNOCHA]] stated that getting aid into Gaza "cannot and should not depend on a floating dock far from where needs are most acute".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baldor |first1=Lolita C. |title=Trucks are rolling across a new US pier into Gaza. But challenges remain to getting enough aid in |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c# |website=Associated Press |date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref> On May 21, the UN stated aid had not entered Gaza from the pier in two days, and that it was at risk of failure unless Israel provided safe operating conditions for humanitarian organizations.<ref>{{cite news |title=UN suspends Rafah aid distribution and warns US pier may fail |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/21/un-suspends-food-aid-in-rafah-over-lack-of-supplies-and-insecurity |website=The Guardian |date=May 21, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> The White House National Security communications adviser stated, "This temporary pier is not enough... Clearly not enough is being done to open up the crossings. That's just unacceptable".<ref>{{cite web |title='Just unacceptable': US denounces lsrael's land closures for Gaza aid |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-700000-palestinians-flee-military-onslaught?update=2906763 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref> In June 2024, the media office for [[Hamas government in the Gaza Strip]] criticized the pier, stating only 120 trucks had come through it and that it was "useless".<ref>{{cite web |title=US aid pier off Gaza is 'useless', Gaza official says |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/6/11/israels-war-on-gaza-live-ray-of-hope-after-unsc-approves-ceasefire?update=2967301 |website=Al Jazeera |author1=Mersiha Gadzo|author2=Urooba Jamal|author3=Usaid Siddiqui|access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> |
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Stephen Walt criticized the whole operation for its cost - after the damage expected to run into hundreds of millions - arguing that the project arose from the Biden administration's reluctance to pressure Israel into opening its borders to allow relief aid in sufficient quantities to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and sustain the population.<ref name="Walt" /> |
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Military experts noted that JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore) type piers were not designed to operate in rough seas and were last used in Haiti in 2010. Since then, relatively little investment has been directed to the technology; the watercraft are old, and funds for repairs have been scarce, with available craft rusting. Firms that had earlier supplied parts had now gone out of business. One military source said that the Army has long underestimated the difficulty of constructing and maintaining a floating pier. The administration itself admits that the best way to supply Gaza is through land routes.<ref>Haley Britzky, Priscilla Alvarez, Kylie Atwood and Kayla Tausche, [https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/01/politics/gaza-pier-israel-hamas-war/index.html High seas and low maintenance: Inside the turbulent US effort to build a pier into Gaza], [[CNN]], June 1, 2024</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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*{{cite news |title=Will Biden's temporary port plan stop famine in Gaza? |first=Angus |last=McDowall |publisher=Reuters |date=March 8, 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/will-bidens-temporary-port-plan-stop-famine-gaza-2024-03-08/}} |
* {{cite news |title=Will Biden's temporary port plan stop famine in Gaza? |first=Angus |last=McDowall |publisher=Reuters |date=March 8, 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/will-bidens-temporary-port-plan-stop-famine-gaza-2024-03-08/}} |
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*{{cite news |publisher=Reuters |via=MSN |title=Gaza aid corridor from Cyprus could start this weekend, says EU president |first=Michele|last=Kambas |date=March 8, 2024 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/gaza-aid-corridor-from-cyprus-could-start-this-weekend-says-eu-president/ar-BB1jy8ws}} |
* {{cite news |publisher=Reuters |via=MSN |title=Gaza aid corridor from Cyprus could start this weekend, says EU president |first=Michele|last=Kambas |date=March 8, 2024 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/gaza-aid-corridor-from-cyprus-could-start-this-weekend-says-eu-president/ar-BB1jy8ws}} |
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*{{citation|work=[[Task & Purpose]]|title=The Army's floating pier in Gaza is a preview of Indo-Pacific tactics – The pier will bring ashore up to 2 million meals per day in Gaza, but would be a centerpiece of future potential Pacific conflicts.|first= Patty|last= Nieberg| date=March 13, 2024 |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/the-armys-floating-pier-in-gaza-is-a-preview-of-china-tactics/}} |
* {{citation|work=[[Task & Purpose]]|title=The Army's floating pier in Gaza is a preview of Indo-Pacific tactics – The pier will bring ashore up to 2 million meals per day in Gaza, but would be a centerpiece of future potential Pacific conflicts.|first= Patty|last= Nieberg| date=March 13, 2024 |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/the-armys-floating-pier-in-gaza-is-a-preview-of-china-tactics/}} |
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*{{citation|magazine= [[The New Yorker]]|title=Why Biden's floating pier is unlikely to meet Gaza's needs|first= Isaac |last=Chotiner|date=March 14, 2024|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-bidens-floating-pier-is-unlikely-to-meet-gazas-needs}} |
* {{citation|magazine= [[The New Yorker]]|title=Why Biden's floating pier is unlikely to meet Gaza's needs|first= Isaac |last=Chotiner|date=March 14, 2024|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-bidens-floating-pier-is-unlikely-to-meet-gazas-needs}} |
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*{{citation|title=A new US-run pier off Gaza could help deliver 2 million meals a day – but it comes with security risks|first=Tara |last=Sonenshine|authorlink=Tara Sonenshine|date=March 29, 2024|website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|via=[[SFGate]]|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/a-new-us-run-pier-off-gaza-could-help-deliver-2-19374978.php}} |
* {{citation|title=A new US-run pier off Gaza could help deliver 2 million meals a day – but it comes with security risks|first=Tara |last=Sonenshine|authorlink=Tara Sonenshine|date=March 29, 2024|website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|via=[[SFGate]]|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/a-new-us-run-pier-off-gaza-could-help-deliver-2-19374978.php}} |
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*{{citation|title=Gaza map and photos show US pier construction|first=Nick|last=Mordowanec|work=Newsweek|date=April 30, 2024|url=https://www.newsweek.com/gaza-israel-humanitarian-military-war-1895653}} |
* {{citation|title=Gaza map and photos show US pier construction|first=Nick|last=Mordowanec|work=Newsweek|date=April 30, 2024|url=https://www.newsweek.com/gaza-israel-humanitarian-military-war-1895653}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5109465/pentagon-briefs-fourth-aid-airdrop-shore-pier-deliver-aid-gaza "Pentagon Briefs on Fourth Aid Airdrop and Off-Shore Pier to Deliver Aid Into Gaza"], excerpt of press briefing by Major General [[Patrick S. Ryder]], USAF, March 8, 2024 |
* [https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5109465/pentagon-briefs-fourth-aid-airdrop-shore-pier-deliver-aid-gaza "Pentagon Briefs on Fourth Aid Airdrop and Off-Shore Pier to Deliver Aid Into Gaza"], excerpt of press briefing by Major General [[Patrick S. Ryder]], USAF, March 8, 2024 |
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* {{cite news |last1=Kanj |first1=Jamal |title=Gaza's Floating Pier and Biden's Fake Empathy |url=https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/03/21/gazas-floating-pier-and-bidens-fake-empathy/ |work=CounterPunch.org |date=21 March 2024 }} |
* {{cite news |last1=Kanj |first1=Jamal |title=Gaza's Floating Pier and Biden's Fake Empathy |url=https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/03/21/gazas-floating-pier-and-bidens-fake-empathy/ |work=CounterPunch.org |date=21 March 2024 }} |
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* {{cite news |last1=Alyacoubi |first1=Noor |title=Humanitarian Aid or Political Conspiracy - What Do Gazans Think of the American Pier |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/humanitarian-aid-or-political-conspiracy-what-do-gazans-think-of-the-american-pier/ |work=Palestine Chronicle |date=10 May 2024 }} |
* {{cite news |last1=Alyacoubi |first1=Noor |title=Humanitarian Aid or Political Conspiracy - What Do Gazans Think of the American Pier |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/humanitarian-aid-or-political-conspiracy-what-do-gazans-think-of-the-american-pier/ |work=Palestine Chronicle |date=10 May 2024 }} |
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{{Israel–Hamas war}} |
{{Israel–Hamas war}} |
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[[Category:Transport infrastructure in Asia]] |
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[[Category:Transport buildings and structures in the State of Palestine]] |
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[[Category:2024 in the Gaza Strip]] |
[[Category:2024 in the Gaza Strip]] |
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[[Category:Piers]] |
[[Category:Piers]] |
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[[Category:State of Palestine–United States relations]] |
[[Category:State of Palestine–United States relations]] |
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[[Category:Gaza Strip humanitarian crisis]] |
[[Category:Gaza Strip humanitarian crisis]] |
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[[Category:United States Navy in the 21st century]] |
Revision as of 21:46, 11 July 2024
Causeway connected to Gaza shore, shortly after completion on May 16 | |
Type | Barge landing |
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Carries | Food aid from Cyprus |
Locale | Mediterranean Sea off Gaza Strip |
Characteristics | |
Construction | US Army, US Navy |
History | |
Construction start | April 6, 2024 |
Completion date | May 16, 2024 |
Opening date | May 17, 2024 |
The Gaza floating pier is a floating dock facility created by the U.S. military after being proposed immediately before U.S. President Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address on March 7, 2024. It was completed in May 2024.
It was constructed by U.S. military forces based on ships offshore of the Gaza Strip, then connected to the shore by causeway, to enable the delivery of maritime cargo for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.[1][2][3][4] The unloading point joins the Netzarim Corridor.[5] The World Food Programme will be responsible for receiving and distributing the aid.[6]
President Biden stated that Israel "must also do its part." He noted, "Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority."[7] Israel will inspect the humanitarian aid in Cyprus before shipping and again at checkpoints in Gaza when it is delivered off the pier. The pier can deliver 150 trucks of aid per day.[8] After its collapse, it was dismissed by Stephen Walt as an expensive PR stunt to sidestep pressuring issues to open its border crossings.[9] The United States denied allegations that Israeli forces had used the Gaza floating pier during the Nuseirat refugee camp massacre or the rescue operation.[10][11]
As of June 2024, the pier has handled thousands of tons of food aid,[12] with Fogbow delivering over a thousand pallets of food.[13] According to the US Central Command, as of June 24, 2024, more than 6206 tons of humanitarian aid had been delivered since May 17, 2024.[14] The pier has been dismantled three times because of weather and may not be restored.
Background
Blockade of the Gaza Strip |
---|
Crossings |
2004 |
Philadelphi Accord |
2006 |
Economic sanctions |
2007 |
Fatah–Hamas battle |
2008 |
2009 |
Viva Palestina "Lifeline 3" |
2010 |
2011 |
2015 |
Freedom Flotilla III |
2016 |
Women's Boat to Gaza |
2023 |
Israeli "total blockade" |
2024 |
2024 Gaza freedom flotilla |
A blockade has been imposed on the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip since Hamas's takeover in 2007, led by Israel and supported by Egypt. The blockade's current stated aim is to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza; previously stated motivations have included exerting economic pressure on Hamas.[15]
Attempts to bring in humanitarian aid by water into Gaza have been attempted multiple times and have ended with intervention by the Israeli military. In May 2010, the IDF participated in a military operation dubbed the Gaza flotilla raid against six civilian ships in international waters, resulting in contested events; nine passengers of the flotilla killed and thirty passengers and 10 IDF troops wounded.[16] In July 2011, a second flotilla was planned by 22 NGOs to attempt to break the maritime blockade but did not take place.[17] In the summer of 2015, a third flotilla was planned to break the blockade and set out from Sweden with multiple stops before being intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters and participants detained.[18][19]
The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israel–Hamas war, which began after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.[20][21] The crisis includes both a famine and a healthcare collapse.[citation needed] At the start of the war, Israel tightened its blockade of the Gaza Strip on October 9, 2023, with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a "total blockade",[22] blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity.[23] This has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies.[20][24] After receiving pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden, Gallant changed his position of a complete blockade and a deal was made on 19 October for Israel and Egypt to allow aid into Gaza.[25]
In January 2024, Israeli authorities blocked 56% of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza.[26] On February 9, 2024, UNRWA's director Philippe Lazzarini reported that Israel had blocked food for 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza.[27]
Outline plan
During October and November 2023, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides developed the maritime aid corridor idea, named the Amalthea Initiative,[28][29] with European Union leaders at a humanitarian conference in Paris and elsewhere.[30][31] On November 5, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cyprus to discuss the maritime aid corridor.[32]
On November 20, 2023, Christodoulides said Cyprus was ready to ship large quantities of humanitarian aid to Gaza when a pause in fighting was declared. He noted that shallow-draft vessels could be used in the short term to ferry aid, and in the medium term, a floating dock off Gaza could be used. He had regularly contacted the Israeli Prime Minister about the proposal, but getting authorization required careful negotiations. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Israel was "definitely in favor of the project."[33][34]
The Jerusalem Post reported that a senior Israeli diplomatic source said the plan was based on a proposal for a maritime route to Gaza via Cyprus for humanitarian assistance initiated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in collaboration with President Biden on October 22, 2023. The Jerusalem Post reported that on October 31, Netanyahu outlined this proposal to Cypriot President Christodoulides. On January 19, 2024, Netanyahu proposed to Biden that a team should be set up to explore the proposal, including inspecting all goods transported.[35][36] On December 20, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said, "The creation of a maritime corridor to Gaza will help Israel's economic disengagement from the Strip", following a meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to discuss the maritime aid corridor.[37] Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman had proposed a similar plan to Cyprus in 2010 when it was called the Lieberman Proposal,[38] and again in 2018 when he was Defense Minister.[39] In 2021, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid proposed the Gaza Development Plan which included a sea port on an artificial island under Israeli security control off Gaza.[40][41]
The pier was designed to allow delivery of thousands of tons of food aid at a time, equivalent to "hundreds of truckloads",[42] via barges embarked in Cyprus and screened for contraband there by Cyprus Police.[43]
Over 1,000 U.S. military personnel were involved in the construction of the pier and 1,800 foot (550 m) long Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) type modular causeway over 60 days.[44][45] The part of the JLOTS system[46] included in this project is a large floating modular unloading platform secured by sea anchors stationed about three miles offshore, allowing supplies to be then transferred by lighters to a modular causeway off the shore.[47][48] The project, known internally as the Blue Beach Plan, was partially developed by an advisory group called Fogbow, co-founded by Michael Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, and Sam Mundy, a retired Marine Lt. Gen. The plan includes potentially dredging a corridor on a private beachfront to aid unloading. The goal is to allow barges to approach the shore for aid distribution onto trucks. The military pier, once operational, could provide another way for aid delivery. The Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) was not required under the original Blue Beach Plan.[49][50][51]
Fogbow plan
The Fogbow plan is a strategy created by the American advisory group Fogbow, founded by Michael Mulroy and Sam Mundy and managed by former US Military, Intelligence, and United Nations personnel, to establish a maritime corridor. According to the initial Fogbow plan, a significant portion of aid will be transported using Masri trucks to the Gaza Industrial Zone, a specified area within the Gaza sector. Additionally, Fogbow aims to set up a new beach landing site to deliver humanitarian aid. This initiative seeks to improve aid distribution by increasing the number of drop zones along the coast, making it easier to transport aid to remote areas that are difficult to reach by typical overland routes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have agreed to provide security assistance to Fogbow. To support the implementation of this plan, funding will be directed through a recently established foundation called the "Maritime Humanitarian Aid Foundation."[52][53][54]
As of June 2024, Fogbow has delivered over a thousand pallets of food.[13]
Construction and route history
On March 9, 2024, the U.S. Army support ship General Frank S. Besson was sent from Norfolk to begin pier construction.[55] Four more ships with 500 Army troops left on March 12. The ships included landing craft USAV Wilson Wharf, USAV Matamoros and USAV Monterrey; and Besson-class support ship USAV SP4 James A. Loux.[56][57][58] In addition to Army, Naval Beach Group 1 from San Diego, and MV Roy P. Benavidez (T-AKR-306) from an East Coast maritime reserve force were assigned to assist in construction.[59] Roy P. Benavidez departed from Virginia on March 21.[60]
The Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chairpersons Mark Warner and Ben Cardin (both Democrats) requested briefings from the Biden administration on the force protection plan for the U.S. units participating in the construction.[61] On March 28, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs told the press that Israel would be providing security during the installation of the pier.[62]
By April 5, Besson and Benavidez had reached the Mediterranean.[63] By April 17, Besson, Benavidez and three other Army vessels had reached Crete.[64]
The Royal Navy is participating in the effort. RFA Cardigan Bay is used by American soldiers and sailors as a dormitory.[8]
On April 26, construction of the pier by US forces began,[65] and satellite photos published a few days later showed Benavidez building the dock 8 kilometers (4.3 nautical miles) from the Gaza shore.[66]
On May 1, a Pentagon spokesperson said that the floating pier was complete, and the causeway was under construction, with the total project more than half completed.[67] On May 7, it was reported that the causeway had been assembled offshore and was ready to be moved and connected to the shore.[68][69] On May 16, the U.S. military announced that the causeway had been anchored and connected to the Gaza shoreline.[70][71] Trucks began delivering aid off of the pier on May 17.[72] On May 21, a Pentagon spokesperson said that 569 tonnes of aid had crossed the temporary pier but had so far not been distributed, and that moving forward on "safety and security" for humanitarian aid organization workers was critical.[73]
A Centurion C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) and the M-LIDS anti-drone systems have been installed by the shore-attached section of the pier for force protection.[74][75]
The U.S. military cost estimate to build the pier and operate it for 90 days is $320 million, roughly double the initial estimate.[76]
Damage and repair
On May 25, 2024, the U.S. military announced that four boats that were part of the pier's support system broke off from the structure following choppy waters. The four boats became beached, with the military stating that the structure would remain operational. It also added that efforts were underway to retrieve the four vessels.[77]
On May 28, 2024, the U.S. military suspended aid delivery to Gaza after the floating pier was damaged by bad weather.[78] The Pentagon confirmed that a portion of the causeway was damaged and broken off, and must be repaired before being returned to use. Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh stated that the pier will be removed from the sea with help from the Israeli Navy and undergo over a week of repairs in Ashdod before returning.[79][80] Fogbow is directly involved with the JLOTS in moving the pier to and from the safe harbor in Ashdod.[13]
At the beginning of June, the Pentagon estimated that up to the suspension over 1,000 tonnes of aid had been delivered to shore, 900 tonnes of which had reached UN warehouses.[81]
The repaired pier was reinstalled by June 7.[82][83] It was operative for ten days, and may possibly be dismantled in July.[84] On 22 June, parts of the pier washed up on Frishman Beach in Tel Aviv.[85] The US said on 28 June that they were for the third time moving the pier due to weather conditions and said that it may not be restored.[86][87]
The pier constructed by the U.S. military to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza was scheduled for reinstallation on July 10, 2024, for temporary use.[88] As of July 11, the pier was authorized for operation through the end of the month of July, with possible extension until weather makes it untenable.[89] However, on 11 July, US officials confirmed that the pier would soon cease operations.[90][91]
Temporary interim jetty
On March 12, prior to construction of the U.S. pier, a barge "testing" the delivery route, operated by Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms and loaded with 200 tons of food from World Central Kitchen, left the port of Larnaca in Cyprus for Gaza.[92][93] A jetty for unloading the barge was built at a location that was initially "not disclosed for security reasons",[94] but later discerned to be south of Gaza City (31°29′49″N 34°24′29″E / 31.497°N 34.408°E) by journalists using commercial satellite imagery or talking to local construction workers.[95][96] The Cyprus foreign minister, Constantinos Kombos, said on March 13 that the US pier and the food route out of Larnaca would become a single operation.[97] The first barge arrived and began to be unloaded at the World Central Kitchen jetty on March 15.[98][99]
Alleged role in Nuseirat attack
On June 8, 2024, Israel initiated a military action that rescued 4 hostages and killed 274 Palestinians (mostly civilians), according to Gaza Health Authorities. While the United States acknowledged assisting Israel in the operation, it denied that the floating pier was used.[10] A video emerged on social media showing an Israeli Black Hawk helicopter close to the pier picking up IDF soldiers and hostages.[100] The video also shows military equipment, including a US counter-drone system, on the pier.[10]
The Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza released a statement in which it "confirms the participation of American enemy forces stationed on the floating dock" to conduct an attack on the Nuseira refugee camp.[11] Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said IDF didn't just evacuate using the pier. Still, it was likely that the IDF entered into Gaza using the pier as well.[101] United States officials told CBS News reporters that the video appearing to show the helicopter taking off from the beach near the pier, showed the helicopter landing south of the facility and not within the cordoned off area of the pier.[100]
Shortly after the rescue operation, it was announced that the United Nations World Food Program would pause all of its work with the pier, until a security review and review of how the IDF may have utilized the pier was completed. Due to this, humanitarian aid has been piling up on the beach, as the UN works to transfer the aid to warehouses and local aid teams within Gaza.[102]
As of June 18, 2024, US officials have indicated that the pier may be dismantled by early July.[103][104]
Reactions
On May 17, 2024, the spokesperson for UNOCHA stated that getting aid into Gaza "cannot and should not depend on a floating dock far from where needs are most acute".[105] On May 21, the UN stated aid had not entered Gaza from the pier in two days, and that it was at risk of failure unless Israel provided safe operating conditions for humanitarian organizations.[106] The White House National Security communications adviser stated, "This temporary pier is not enough... Clearly not enough is being done to open up the crossings. That's just unacceptable".[107] In June 2024, the media office for Hamas government in the Gaza Strip criticized the pier, stating only 120 trucks had come through it and that it was "useless".[108]
Stephen Walt criticized the whole operation for its cost - after the damage expected to run into hundreds of millions - arguing that the project arose from the Biden administration's reluctance to pressure Israel into opening its borders to allow relief aid in sufficient quantities to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and sustain the population.[9] Military experts noted that JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore) type piers were not designed to operate in rough seas and were last used in Haiti in 2010. Since then, relatively little investment has been directed to the technology; the watercraft are old, and funds for repairs have been scarce, with available craft rusting. Firms that had earlier supplied parts had now gone out of business. One military source said that the Army has long underestimated the difficulty of constructing and maintaining a floating pier. The administration itself admits that the best way to supply Gaza is through land routes.[109]
See also
References
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The prime minister is comfortable with limited economic growth in Gaza, particularly as a way to modify Hamas's urge to get into trouble. We still want there to be a discrepancy between economic life in Gaza and the West Bank, but we no longer feel it needs to be so large.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Baldor, Lolita C. (July 9, 2024). "US-built pier will be put back in Gaza for several days to move aid, then permanently removed". Associated Press. Yahoo! News. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
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- ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/07/11/gaza-pier-humanitarian-aid/
- ^ Schmitt, Eric (July 11, 2024). "Pentagon to Dismantle Temporary Pier Built for Gaza Aid Operation" – via NYTimes.com.
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Another problem was how to unload the aid in Gaza when there are no working ports left. For this reason, WCK has been building a jetty for weeks with rubble, the remains of bombed buildings, and some cranes and construction machines that still work. Its location has not been disclosed for security reasons.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (March 14, 2024). "Aid from Cyprus to enter Gaza via new pier; EU warns of pockets of famine". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Preparations for maritime dock for aid shipments to Gaza continue – Large vehicles transporting cement blocks from Khan Younis port to Gaza City to build temporary floating dock". Yeni Şafak. March 14, 2024.
- ^ "Cyprus says its maritime aid corridor will utilize US-built Gaza pier". Associated Press. March 13, 2024 – via Times of Israel.
Cyprus' foreign minister says a US initiative to build a pier off Gaza for large-scale aid deliveries to the territory by sea will eventually be folded into the Cyprus-Gaza maritime corridor that's currently running. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos says although the two initiatives are now separate, all aid reaching Gaza by sea will eventually have as its single departure point the Cypriot port of Larnaca.
- ^ Ebrahim, Nadeen (March 15, 2024). "Aid is being shipped to Gaza by sea. But a new maritime corridor is unlikely to stop the looming famine". CNN.
- ^ Patil, Anushka (March 15, 2024). "First Ship Carrying Food Aid Arrives in Gaza". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Brennan, Margaret (June 8, 2024). "U.S. provided support to Israeli forces in rescue of 4 hostages in Gaza - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Staff, The New Arab (June 9, 2024). "Did the US play a role in Israel's massacre at Gaza's Nuseirat?". www.newarab.com/.
- ^ Knickmeyer, Ellen; Lederer, Edith (June 14, 2024). "US-built pier in Gaza is facing its latest challenge — whether the UN will keep delivering the aid". AP News. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "US officials say Gaza aid pier may be dismantled soon, after little success - report | The Times of Israel".
- ^ Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric (June 18, 2024). "U.S. Pier for Gaza Aid is Failing, and Could be Dismantled Early". The New York Times.
- ^ Baldor, Lolita C. (May 17, 2024). "Trucks are rolling across a new US pier into Gaza. But challenges remain to getting enough aid in". Associated Press. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "UN suspends Rafah aid distribution and warns US pier may fail". The Guardian. Associated Press. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "'Just unacceptable': US denounces lsrael's land closures for Gaza aid". Al Jazeera. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Mersiha Gadzo; Urooba Jamal; Usaid Siddiqui. "US aid pier off Gaza is 'useless', Gaza official says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ Haley Britzky, Priscilla Alvarez, Kylie Atwood and Kayla Tausche, High seas and low maintenance: Inside the turbulent US effort to build a pier into Gaza, CNN, June 1, 2024
Further reading
- McDowall, Angus (March 8, 2024). "Will Biden's temporary port plan stop famine in Gaza?". Reuters.
- Kambas, Michele (March 8, 2024). "Gaza aid corridor from Cyprus could start this weekend, says EU president". Reuters – via MSN.
- Nieberg, Patty (March 13, 2024), "The Army's floating pier in Gaza is a preview of Indo-Pacific tactics – The pier will bring ashore up to 2 million meals per day in Gaza, but would be a centerpiece of future potential Pacific conflicts.", Task & Purpose
- Chotiner, Isaac (March 14, 2024), "Why Biden's floating pier is unlikely to meet Gaza's needs", The New Yorker
- Sonenshine, Tara (March 29, 2024), "A new US-run pier off Gaza could help deliver 2 million meals a day – but it comes with security risks", The Conversation – via SFGate
- Mordowanec, Nick (April 30, 2024), "Gaza map and photos show US pier construction", Newsweek
External links
- "Pentagon Briefs on Fourth Aid Airdrop and Off-Shore Pier to Deliver Aid Into Gaza", excerpt of press briefing by Major General Patrick S. Ryder, USAF, March 8, 2024
- Kanj, Jamal (March 21, 2024). "Gaza's Floating Pier and Biden's Fake Empathy". CounterPunch.org.
- Alyacoubi, Noor (May 10, 2024). "Humanitarian Aid or Political Conspiracy - What Do Gazans Think of the American Pier". Palestine Chronicle.