USAID staff cautioned Israel about the potential impact of the Gaza pier on its readiness to enhance aid channels.
Republicans claim that Biden's decision to construct a pier was an attempt to win back support from his progressive base.
The USAID's Office of the Inspector General has released a report stating that "several" agency officials disagreed with the Biden administration's decision to construct a humanitarian pier in Gaza.
On Tuesday, the office released a report stating that "several USAID employees" initially raised concerns about the pier's potential to undermine broader efforts to convince Israel to open "more efficient" land corridors that have proven to be effective in transporting aid. Nevertheless, the report emphasized that after the President issued the directive, the Agency's primary objective was to utilize the pier as efficiently as possible.
The construction of the $230 million pier was undertaken during a time when the U.S. was under pressure from critics to provide aid to those in Gaza due to fears of a famine. Despite aid being delivered through air, President Biden aimed to increase support by approving the pier project. This was a joint initiative between the Biden administration's Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is responsible for distributing foreign aid on behalf of the federal government.
After a week of operation, the pier encountered problems due to heavy winds and rough sea waters, and officials distributing aid faced hostile actors trying to loot shipments. The pier shut down on July 17 after operating for 20 days.
Prior to the pier's opening, critics expressed concerns about more efficient and cost-effective alternatives to air drops and the pier. At the same time, Republicans criticized the decision to construct the pier as an attempt by Biden to regain support from his liberal base.
Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, believes that Biden's plans for the pier in Michigan may be motivated by a desire to win over Muslim-American voters in the state, particularly in November. However, other Republican critics have criticized the move for putting American troops at risk.
USAID did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment.
On Wednesday, Sean Savett, a spokesperson for Biden's National Security Council, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the temporary pier, despite its flaws, had a significant impact and was a crucial component of the comprehensive response to the dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza.
The pier delivered 20 million pounds of food and water to the war-torn region prior to being shut down, which Savett stated was the highest volume of humanitarian assistance that DOD has ever been able to deliver in the Middle East.
"From the outset, we made it clear that this would not be an easy task," Savett stated. "We were straightforward and open about the obstacles. However, considering the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the United States has left no stone unturned in our efforts to increase aid, and the pier played a crucial role in advancing that objective at a critical juncture."
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