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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">$320 million US pier collapses in Gaza, drifts to Ashdod (Video)</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">May 25, 2024<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>Strong
waves have swept away a section of the American floating pier off the
coast of the Gaza Strip, heading towards the shores of Asdod, as per
Israeli media.</p><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/5/25/8c3c0f90-2574-479c-833a-f5b94b5e9068.webp?v=3&width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/5/25/8c3c0f90-2574-479c-833a-f5b94b5e9068.webp?v=3&width=1000&preset=w700" alt="Soldiers and sailors assemble the floating pier off the shore of Gaza on April 26, 2024. (US Army/AP)" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="438" height="247" style="margin-right: 25px;"></a>
Soldiers and sailors assemble the floating pier off the shore of Gaza on April 26, 2024. (US Army/<em>AP</em>)
</li></div></ul>
<p>Part of the American naval pier in Gaza collapsed on Saturday as waves carried it toward Ashdod, according to Israeli media.</p>
<p>In further detail, Israeli <em>Channel 12 </em>reported that strong
waves swept away a section of the American floating pier off the coast
of the Gaza Strip, heading towards the shores of Ashdod.</p>
<p>The Israeli navy reportedly retrieved and reattached the section, as per the report.</p>
<p>The US floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea has faced significant
challenges since its creation on May 15, questioning its efficiency in
alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave.</p>
<p>It is worth noting that the Pentagon allocated $320 million and
deployed 1,000 soldiers and sailors to establish the pier. The mission
reportedly involved fourteen ships from the US and other countries. At
the same time, the US sent <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-made-some-100-covert-arms-deals-with--israel--since-oct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">billions of dollars</a> of weapons to "Israel" amid its genocide in Gaza.</p>
<p>In its inaugural week of operations, only 820 tons of aid were
transported through the pier, with approximately two-thirds reaching
distribution points within Gaza, according to the Pentagon's statement
on Thursday. This falls well short of the initial target of 90
truckloads per day and accounts for just 15% of the estimated minimum
daily requirement for a population of over two million people facing
famine.</p>
<p>Weather conditions present a significant challenge, with rough seas
in the Mediterranean posing a threat to the pier's integrity and safety.
Storms delayed the installation process, and further interruptions are
possible. While the summer months are anticipated to be relatively calm,
operations may need to cease by September, necessitating the
dismantling of the pier.</p>
<h2>UN stops all food distribution in Rafah, warns of US pier failure</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/un-stops-all-food-distribution-in-rafah--warns-of-us-pier-fa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN stopped food distribution</a>
in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on May 21 due to a lack of supplies
and an untenable security situation as a result of the Israeli expansion
of a military operation in Rafah.</p>
<p>The UN warned that humanitarian operations all around the territory were near collapse. </p>
<p>In the same context, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said on May 20 that delivering aid to Gaza
via land routes was <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-pier-insufficient-to-replace-land-route-gaza-aid-deliveri" target="_blank" rel="noopener">irreplaceable in terms</a> of the volume of assistance required by the 2.2 million population in Gaza. </p>
<p>The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) urged on May 17 for the
opening of additional crossing points into the Gaza Strip, saying they
are a lifeline for the Palestinians. </p>
<p>WFP warned that the escalation of IOF activity in Rafah risks stopping humanitarian operations in Gaza. </p>
<p>A top UN official said on May 9 that "Israel's" blockade of major
crossings into Gaza has shut off the main entrance route for supplies,
notably gasoline, making humanitarian operations nearly impossible.</p>
<p>Andrea De Domenico, head of the United Nations humanitarian agency
(OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territories expressed that the "main
entry point for all humanitarian aid" had been lost. </p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/un-experts-warn-us-gaza-aid-pier-to-facilitate-rafah-invasio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN experts warn US Gaza aid pier to facilitate Rafah invasion</a></strong></p></div></div></div>
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