US CENTCOM announced on Friday that it had suspended the construction of the floating pier off of Gaza and had handed over control to Israel.
The pier has been partially built and is being moved to the Port of Ashdod due to unsafe weather conditions.
Update on the Construction of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability in Mediterranean SeaYesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) temporarily paused offshore assembly of the floating pier in the vicinity of Gaza due to sea state considerations. Forecasted high winds and… pic.twitter.com/cIY2TUn7NX
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 3, 2024
The pier's construction will be finished before being placed on the Gaza shoreline where aid can be directly delivered to the population.
Approximately one thousand US troops will be involved in the construction of the pier system Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), CNN reported. The pier could also, upon its completion, deliver as many as 150 trucks of aid and food to Gaza's civilian population.
Hopes that the pier could've been completed sooner
The report also cited US Defense officials admitting their hope that the pier would be fully complete by Friday. Officials also told CNN that state sea conditions have been impeding the work of the personnel involved in its construction. The report notes that one difficult task is for military divers to work underneath the pier to make sure that all parts are stable.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters that the pier will cost at least $320 million. The cost includes transportation of equipment, construction, and aid delivery operations.