As this publication reported earlier this week, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) reported that it had begun and would soon complete construction of a humanitarian aid pier off the coast of Israel. However, that same organization has now announced that construction of the pier has been paused due to forecasted high winds and sea swells.
Update on the Construction of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability in Mediterranean Sea
Yesterday, 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
This announcement further compounds the problems facing U.S. troops involved in this pier. On April 25th, as UN observers were taken by the IDF to the beach to survey the site, they were fired upon by mortars. U.S. Defense Secretary Austin told lawmakers on May 1st, that if U.S. troops are fired on, they may return fire while building and manning this pier.
USCENTCOM has not projected a complete date for this project or how this delay will impact that estimate.
