In an endeavor to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the U.S. military has initiated the construction of a temporary pier designed to establish a maritime corridor for delivering aid to the beleaguered Gaza Strip. This ambitious and complex project, known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system, involves the deployment of the USNS Benavidez and the construction of a floating platform off the coast of Gaza. As reported by Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, “U.S. military vessels, to include the USNS Benavidez, have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea.”
The JLOTS system is intended to handle up to 150 trucks worth of humanitarian aid per day, potentially providing up to 2 million meals to the people of Gaza. The construction progress is evident in satellite photos and has been corroborated by marine traffic websites tracking the operation of the USNS Roy Benavidez. The commencement of the pier’s operation is scheduled for early May, as per a senior U.S. military official who briefed reporters.
Amidst the ongoing military activities in the region, security remains a paramount concern. Recent events, such as a mortar attack near the construction site, have underlined the challenges facing the U.S. military personnel involved in the mission. The official stressed, “Force protection is our number one priority,” reassuring that Israel has pledged robust security measures to safeguard the operation.
Despite these assurances, the cost of the project has surged to an eye-watering $320 million—double the initial estimates, leading to scrutiny from lawmakers like Senator Roger Wicker, who questioned the balance of risk and benefit in this “dangerous effort with marginal benefit.”
This undertaking complements ongoing diplomatic efforts, as indicated by the coordination cells established in Israel, run by a three-star U.S. general, and in Cyprus, facilitated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). These cells are instrumental in organizing the logistics of aid delivery to Gaza.
Further complicating the delivery of humanitarian aid is the requirement for it to pass through Israeli checkpoints on land after being inspected in Cyprus. This, along with the devastating effects of Israel’s military campaign in response to attacks from Hamas, has heightened the urgency to find alternative routes to alleviate the dire conditions faced by Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
The Biden administration has emphasized the absence of U.S. “boots on the ground” in Gaza, with an unnamed third-party nation expected to manage onshore logistics, supported by countries such as the U.K. British troops are reportedly considered for the task of delivering aid from the offshore pier, showcasing international cooperation in this humanitarian endeavor.
The JLOTS components consist of a floating pier, a causeway around 1,800 feet long connected to the shore, and a fleet of logistic support vessels and barges to move aid from the pier to the causeway. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon Press Secretary, detailed the JLOTS mission, mentioning that once the aid reaches the two-lane causeway, it can be transported to Gaza for distribution.
Relevant articles:
– Gaza Pier Construction Begins Amid Concerns over Attacks on Troops and Aid Workers, Military, 04/29/2024
– US military’s pier in Gaza to cost $320 million, The Economic Times, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:43:08 GMT
– US troops begin construction of Gaza aid pier, Army Technology, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:03:53 GMT
– British troops may deliver Gaza aid, BBC report says, Voice of America – VOA News, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 17:53:51 GMT
– U.S. Begins Construction on Temporary Pier to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, SEAPOWER Magazine Online, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:50:56 GMT