The temporary floating pier for Gaza aid has been completed, and it will be moved into position once the weather clears up, according to the Pentagon.
The floating pier's two components were reportedly set to be relocated from the Port of Ashdod to the Gaza Strip.
Despite the completion of both sections of the temporary floating pier intended for humanitarian aid delivery off the coast of Gaza Strip, weather and sea conditions are hindering the delivery of the parts to the region, according to Pentagon officials.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh announced that the U.S. Military has completed the offshore construction of the Trident Pier section, which is the causeway that will eventually be anchored to the Gaza shore.
The floating pier section of the project has also been finished.
"As of today, the construction of the two portions of the JLOTS [Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore], the floating pier and the Trident pier, are complete and awaiting final movement offshore," Singh said. "However, due to high winds and high sea swells, there are still unsafe conditions for the JLOTS [Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore] components to be moved. Late last week, CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] temporarily paused moving the floating pier and Trident pier toward the vicinity of Gaza due to sea state conditions."
The pier sections are still at the Port of Ashdod, and CENTCOM is prepared to move them to Gaza, according to Singh.
In Gaza, the U.S. military and USAID will collaborate to provide humanitarian aid with the help of military vessels and trucks.
The exact date for the pier's placement is uncertain due to weather and security concerns, as Singh was unable to provide a specific date.
"The MV Sagamore, a cargo vessel, is currently in Cyprus and will use the JLOTS system to transport humanitarian aid to the offshore floating pier in partnership with USAID and other partners. CENTCOM stands by to move the pier into position in the near future."
She described the unloading of the aid as a "crawl, walk, run scenario."
Initially, a limited number of trucks will be employed to test the distribution system before 150 trucks are fully operational to transport aid to Gaza.
The U.S. Central Command released images of a pier under construction by U.S. soldiers in the Mediterranean Sea, stating that the massive metal platform will serve as a base for USAID and other humanitarian organizations to distribute aid to the people of Gaza.
The estimated cost of the project has nearly doubled the original estimate of $180 million, and it will only be in use temporarily for three months, according to the Pentagon.
U.S. Central Command stated that the pier can handle up to two million meals daily for the population of Gaza.
Ruth Marks Eglash of Planet Chronicle contributed to this report.
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